cause he conceived himself perfect, he prays for no favor from God, neither for the forgiveness of his sins, nor an increase of grace. Under the pretence of giving thanks to God, he commends himself for his own good works, and arrogantly prefers himself to others. Not content with this he contemns the publican, whom he rashly judges a sinner. Thus all proud men are blind and say to themselves, " I am rich and made wealthy;" but alas! "thou knowest" not, proud soul, "that thou art wretched and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." (Apoc. iii. 19.)
II. The publican, on the other hand, expresses the greatest degree of humility. He stands at a distance, and does not deem himself worthy of appearing in the sight of God, or even of the Pharisee. He does not dare to lift up his eyes to Heaven, from confusion for his sins. He strikes his breast with a contrite and humble heart, and wishes to make satisfaction for his transgressions. He begs pardon for his sins and humbly prays, " O God be merciful to me a sinner." Such ought to be your prayers; humble, contrite, and accompanied with a firm purpose of amendment.
III. Consider the sentence, which Christ pronounced on these two men: "This man (the publican) went down to his house justified rather than the other." If pride destroyed all the good works of the Pharisee, so on the other side, did humility, accompanied with penance, blot out the sins of the publican: "Because everyone, that exalteth himself shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Luke xviii. 14,) This is frequently the case here, but it is always so in the next life. Choose then whether you would rather be humbled in this short and uncertain world, or in the eternal world to come.
