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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
of the truth of His word. The written testimonies are not to give new
light, but to impress vividly upon the heart the truths of inspiration
already revealed. Man’s duty to God and to his fellow man has been
distinctly specified in God’s word, yet but few of you are obedient
to the light given. Additional truth is not brought out; but God has
through the Testimonies simplified the great truths already given and
in His own chosen way brought them before the people to awaken and
impress the mind with them, that all may be left without excuse.
“Pride, self-love, selfishness, hatred, envy, and jealousy have be-
clouded the perceptive powers, and the truth, which would make you
wise unto salvation, has lost its power to charm and control the mind.
The very essential principles of godliness are not understood because
there is not a hungering and thirsting for Bible knowledge, purity
of heart, and holiness of life. The Testimonies are not to belittle the
word of God, but to exalt it and attract minds to it, that the beautiful
simplicity of truth may impress all.
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“I said further: As the word of God is walled in with these books
and pamphlets, so has God walled you in with reproofs, counsel,
warnings, and encouragements. Here you are crying before God, in
the anguish of your souls, for more light. I am authorized from God
to tell you that not another ray of light through the Testimonies will
shine upon your pathway until you make a practical use of the light
already given. The Lord has walled you about with light; but you
have not appreciated the light; you have trampled upon it. While some
have despised the light, others have neglected it or followed it but
indifferently. A few have set their hearts to obey the light which God
has been pleased to give them.
“Some that have received special warnings through testimony have
forgotten in a few weeks the reproof given. The testimonies to some
have been several times repeated, but they have not thought them
of sufficient importance to be carefully heeded. They have been to
them like idle tales. Had they regarded the light given they would
have avoided losses and trials which they think are hard and severe.
They have only themselves to censure. They have placed upon their
own necks a yoke which they find grievous to be borne. It is not
the yoke which Christ has bound upon them. God’s care and love
were exercised in their behalf; but their selfish, evil, unbelieving souls
could not discern His goodness and mercy. They rush on in their own