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 Lord, who  is  nigh  and  ever  before  their  eyes  and  their minds, is  both  the  source  and  the  moderator  of  their gladness. Whatever is  innocent  in  the  way  of  enjoyment, whatever  is  necessary  in  the  way  of  labor, whatever is  good  and  useful  in  the  way  of  benevolence can  never  be  unlawful,  be  the  day  ever  so  holy, and any  legislation  or  petty  ordinances  or  cavilings to the  contrary  are  Puritanic,  Pharisaical,  hypocritical.

Jesus, then,  is  dining  with  a  distinguished  company of Pharisees,  on  the  Sabbath  day,  and  they  are watching Him. There is  a  marked  contrast  between the Guest's  loving  condescension  and  the  malice  of His  entertainers. He, correct  in  outward  form  and interiorly righteous,  presents  a  striking  figure  of  religion pure  and  unspotted,  but  they  illustrate  religionism, for  their  hospitality,  though  effusive  or  perhaps excessive, is  none  the  less  hollow  and  insincere. They hate Him,  in  fact,  and  have  purposely  seated  opposite to  Him a man  sick  of  the  palsy,  that,  should Christ heal  him,  they  may  have  in  this  breach  of  the Sabbath some  ground  for  accusation. Here is  an  opportunity to  emphasize  a  great  truth,  and  Our  Lord seizes it  eagerly. With one  hand  He  brushes  aside the accumulated  traditions  and  prejudices  and  absurdities which  for  ages  have  passed  for  godliness, and with  the  other  He  lays  bare  the  very  heart  and essence of  all  religion  by  curing  the  palsied  mac. His action  is  in  line  with  His  entire  teaching  and practice. "I will  have  mercy,"  He  says,  "and  not sacrifice." " Not  every  man  that  saith  to  Me:  Lord,