Testimonies for the Church, Volume 2 - Ellen G. White

to engage in it. The fact that men who are in
responsible places show themselves to be familiar
with sin should not lessen the guilt and enormity of
the sin in the minds of any. Sin should appear just
as sinful, just as abhorrent, as it had been
heretofore regarded; and the minds of the pure and
elevated should abhor and shun the one who
indulges in sin, as they would flee from a serpent
whose sting was deadly.
If the sisters were elevated and possessed purity
of heart, any corrupt advances, even from their
minister, would be repulsed with such positiveness
as would never need a repetition. Minds must be
terribly befogged by Satan when they can listen to
the voice of the seducer because he is a minister,
and therefore break God's plain and positive
commands and flatter themselves that they commit
no sin. Have we not the words of John: "He that
saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in
him"? What saith the law? "Thou shalt not commit
adultery." When a man professing to keep God's
holy law, and ministering in sacred things, takes
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