"Yet Charles had deliberately rejected the truths presented by Luther. “I am firmly resolved to imitate the example of my ancestors,” wrote the monarch.—D'Aubigne, b. 7, ch. 9. He had decided that he would not step out of the path of custom, even to walk in the ways of truth and righteousness. Because his fathers did, he would uphold the papacy, with all its cruelty and corruption. Thus he took his position, refusing to accept any light in advance of what his fathers had received, or to perform any duty that they had not performed. GC 163.3"
"But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?"
The EGW passage directly parallels the Pharisees' adherence to tradition over God's commandments, as condemned by Jesus in Matthew 15:3. Both involve choosing tradition over truth and righteousness.