Page:Traditions of Palestine (microform) (IA traditionsofpale00martrich).pdf/53

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LIFE IN DEATH.
45

This Prophet is greater than they. He speaketh woe against the Hebrew who breaketh the least of the commandments of Moses.”

“Said he not also that the Pharisees were not righteous?—the holy Pharisees, the borders of whose garments he is not worthy to uplift! Doth he not intermeddle also with the thoughts of the heart, which are a man’s own, and which none but Jehovah knoweth?”

“Out of the heart, my father, proceed obedience and rebellion. A man cannot obey the law unless his heart be right with God. If the heart be pure, the actions will be clean, even as waters which are not defiled at their source.”

“Hold thy peace, Sadoc! Knoweth not a man that which is within him? I myself have kept the law as few have kept it, and what is it to thee,—how knowest thou, what is in mine heart?”

Sadoc looked down and held his peace.

“Tell me,” said his father, “if this Jesus hath given any new commandment which shall be joined to the law. Hath he ordained new sacrifices? Hath he added to the ceremonies of the temple? Hath he imposed new forms