“Two men 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: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” ~ Luke 18:10-14
“The Pharisee prays not for supply of defects, nor acknowledgeth a defect of supplies; but tells his own fullness, and that great difference which his mistaken eyes saw between himself and the publican; swelling with his own wind till he burst.
They plough with the oxen of their own imaginary righteousness, and contemplate the farm which their own works have purchased, and marry themselves to merit as to wife; therefore in the pride of their preemptory stomachs they scorn the Lamb’s supper.
Therefore Christ refuseth them in his call, but seeks sinners; not sinners in perverseness, but sinners in sense and conscience, in plea, action, confession, and condemnation of themselves. It is a needy and acknowledged emptiness, that lies at his gate, who is rich in mercy.” ~ Thomas Adams
