and more remote from the Gospel, so the Pharisees left the Bible at each step more and more.  This is why the Puritan reformer is generally essentially “Biblical,” taking the unchangeable text for his basis in criticising the current theology, which has changed with each generation.  Thus acted later the Karaites and the Protestants.  Jesus applied the axe to the root of the tree much more energetically.  We see him sometimes, it is true, invoke the text against the false Masores or traditions of the Pharisees.[1] But in general he dwelt little on exegesis—­it was the conscience to which he appealed.  With one stroke he cut through both text and commentaries.  He showed, indeed, to the Pharisees that they seriously perverted Mosaism by their traditions, but he by no means pretended himself to return to Mosaism.  His mission was concerned with the future, not with the past.  Jesus was more than the reformer of an obsolete religion; he was the creator of the eternal religion of humanity.

[Footnote 1:  Matt. xv. 2, and following; Mark vii. 2, and following.]

Disputes broke out especially respecting a number of external practices introduced by tradition, which neither Jesus nor his disciples observed.[1] The Pharisees reproached him sharply for this.  When he dined with them, he scandalized them much by not observing the customary ablutions.  “Give alms,” said he, “of such things as ye have; and behold, all things are clean unto you."[2] That which in the highest degree hurt his refined feeling was the air of assurance which the Pharisees carried into religious matters; their paltry worship, which ended in a vain seeking after precedents and titles, to the utter neglect of the improvement of their hearts.  An admirable parable rendered this thought with infinite charm and justice.  “Two men,” said he, “went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee and the other a publican.  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner.  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other."[3]

[Footnote 1:  Matt. xv. 2, and following; Mark vii. 4, 8; Luke v. sub fin. and vi. init., xi. 38, and following.]

[Footnote 2:  Luke xi. 41.]

[Footnote 3:  Luke xviii. 9-14; comp. ibid., xiv. 7-11.]