Quesnel: Moral Reflections on the Gospels Vol 1

CHAPTER XV. 233
intent only on discovering in them occasions to decry
them and make them odious? It is because a Pha-
risee takes more pleasure in blaming others, than in
amending himself.
*' 3. But he answered and said unto them, Why
do ye also transgress the commandment of God by
your tradition ?"
The pretender to zeal often prefers and opposes
superstitious usages to the divine law, and the essen-
tial duties of Christianity. Strange depravity of
men's hearts, who think to honour God by transgressing
his commandment, and doing their own
will ! The world is full of zealots of this kind, who
neglect their duty to follow human inventions. To
oppose these abuses is to imitate Christ, provided a
man do it with mildness and modesty ; not insulting,
but instructing; not merely to gain the victory, but
to gain over souls to God. He who does it by his
Spirit, still does it after this manner.
" 4. For God commanded, saying. Honour thy
father and mother : and. He that curseth father or
mother, let him die the death."
Obedience to the fathers and pastors of our souls,
and to sovereign princes, is no less enjoined by this
commandment, than piety towards the fathers of our
flesh. Whoever pretends to release and withdraw
us from their government and direction, is a seducer
and transgressor of God's law, how much holiness
soever he may seem to have.
" 5. But ye say. Whosoever shall say to his
father or his mother. It is a gift, by whatsoever thou
mightest be profited by me,"
Religion often serves as a cloak for impiety, hard-