Vol. 2

CHAPTER ir. 31ordinary means, without an extreme necessity, andto be more sensibly affected with their neighbour'swants, than with tlieir own." 24. And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold,why do they on the sabbath-day that which is notlawful rHe who has only the knowledge without the spiritof the law, very often opposes, whilst he thinks hedefends it.Pharisaical pride makes men set themselvesup for judges of every thing, and require anWhen aaccount of every thing to be given them.man is once full of himself, he decides confidently,especially when it is to condemn others. Those wholove to domineer, are not content to exercise theirauthority upon their own disciples, but would fainbring those of others under their dominion." 25. And he said unto them, Have ye neverread what David did, when he had need, and was anhungered, he, and they that were with him ? 26. Howhe went into the house of God, in the days of Abiatharthe high priest, and did eat the shew-bread,which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, andgave also to them which were with him ?"Charity and necessity are superior to allpositivelaws. It is good to confound those who pretend tobe masters in the divine law, when they are ignorantin it; and a man is so, when he is a stranger tocharity, which is the soul thereof. The bread whichis offered to God out of religion, is due to man bycharity, when necessity makes known the will of God.He who daily feeds his creature, and allows him theuse of all his good things, is far from desiring thathe should perish. God leaches us to spare nothing,