SERMON XIII.

ST. LUKE Xviii. 10.

Two men went up into the Temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a Publican.*

THESE words form the commencement of a

parable which Jesus spake to certain, who trusted in themselves that they were righteous. The parable, which has been repeated to you in the course of the day, is as follows: "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 to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying,

* Preached at St. Mary's, June 5, 1824.

"God be merciful to me, a sinner!” “I tell you," continues our Saviour,

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."

A more beautiful and more forcible illustration of the folly of pride, and of the wisdom of humility, has never been presented to the observation of man. Like all the discourses and parables of our Saviour, the present is remarkable for that conciseness and perspicuity of narration, and that justness and brilliancy of colouring, which not only bespeak unusual powers in the author, but which strike the hearer with irresistible conviction of its truth. That I may render this very interesting subject as much deserving of your attention as I am able, I purpose, first, to describe the object which our Saviour had in view when he made the narrative. Secondly, To give you some idea of the subject matter itself; of the general character of the Pharisees and Publicans; and, thirdly and lastly, to draw such inferences from the whole as may help to regulate our conduct towards God in prayer, and towards our fellow creatures in our intercourse with the world.

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First, then, as to the object which our Saviour had in view-and this was, as he himself informs us, as a caution to certain people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous. Of all denominations of people, at the time of our Saviour's appearing upon earth, the Pharisees were, as we shall presently find, the most self confident and presuming on their own merits and excellences. But great as might have been their presumption, it is to be feared that many of us, at the present day, are not altogether exempt from a similar imputation. Many there be who trust wholly in themselves-who arrogantly rely on their own supposed splendid actions and charities: and who mistake a punctual compliance with certain exterior duties, for a faithful discharge of positive Christian virtues; for humility, confession of errors and of sins, and a serious, unfeigned, and entire resignation to the will of heaven. It is, indeed, to be feared that the present times are not altogether exempt from the Pharisaical tribe. How often does our experience of human nature, as we see it in the complex and evershifting occurrences of life, make us acquainted with actions and characters, in which all the absurdity and provoking insolence of

the Jewish Pharisee of old are manifested! There be those who talk largely of their splendour and pomp, and display of exterior duties, in which, while they know that they are merely gratifying their own vanities and weaknesses, will tell you, that they are, more effectually, serving God and their fellow creatures. All this might serve their turn, and the purpose very well, if, unfortunately for themselves, that same God did not know the shallowness of their conceits, the emptiness of their boastings, and the odious insincerity of their confessions. Such men may deceive us-but most certain and unequivocal it is, they cannot deceive their Maker: with whom they will have the great and final account to settle at the last day of retributive justice. Such, therefore, will do well to ponder on this parable, and deserting their former professions, to abide religiously by those of the Publican.

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Let us now proceed, secondly, to an illustration of the subject matter. Two men went up into the Temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a Publican." In the Temple there were two courts; one for the Jews, the other for the Gentile proselytes that lived among them; and to the first court

the Pharisee went-to the second the Publican retired, to pray. No one is supposed to be present. God alone hears their supplications: when the Pharisee, as if fearing to be polluted by the touch, or even contiguity, of the Publican, thus pours forth his pompous and self-gratulatory strains to the throne of heaven. "God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as yonder base, submissive Publican. Thou knowest, Lord, that I regularly fast twice in the week-on those days when thy laws are read in the holy Synagogue; and, in opposition to the rapine and injustice of others, I am punctually faithful in the payment of tithes towards the support of the sacred priests; and instead of the luxury and adultery of others, I keep under my body by fasting." So prayed the Pharisee. So prayed this arrogant, self-sufficient, and yet (unknown to himself, the whole time) base, wretched, carnal-minded, contemptible human creature. And so prays many a Pharisee of the present day: separating himself, in his own conceit, from the common lot of mortality; and substituting the impulses of a proud and cankered spirit, for the aspirations of a broken and contrite heart. But what