2. His uncharitableness —
[Not satisfied with commending himself, he poured con- tempt on all others'1. He arrogantly presumed to judge the Publican in particular : but what concern had he with the state of other men ? Their greater degrees of sinfulness could not make him less sinful : nor should it have been a subject of boast, but of lamentation. He should have taken occasion from it, not to insult over them, but to intercede for them : but the guilt and misery of his fellow-creatures were to him a source of gratification rather than of grief: nor did he care how many might perish, provided he could have the satisfaction of contemplating his own superior goodness.]
3. His self-dependence —
[He confessed no sins, because he thought he had none to confess; or that they were far overbalanced by his virtues. He implored no help, because he felt no need of divine assist- ance. He entertained no doubt of his own ability to do the will of God. The whole of his deportment shewed the thought of his heart to be, " In myself have I righteousness and strength."]
The Publican manifested a spirit altogether the reverse of this —
[He was of a profession that was generally and perhaps justly execrated e: and it is probable he had yielded to the temptations that beset him ; but now, " what had been sweet in his mouth, was become gall in his bowels."]
He approached God with deep humility and con- trition—
[He came into the temple with a holy fear and trem- bling. While the Pharisee boldly walked up to the highest part, he stood, as it were, at the very threshold. While the Pharisee ostentatiously spread forth his hands, he did not pre- sume to " lift up so much as his eyes" to heaven. Instead of boasting of his goodness, he humbled himself as " a sinner." He confessed himself to be deserving of God's wrath and indignation. With much anguish of spirit he "smote upon his breast," and cried for mercy as one who felt himself the chief of sinners.]
He placed all his confidence in God alone —
d Ol \oi7rot, the rest of the world.
The Publicans were tax-gatherers ; and, under pretence of gathering the legal imposts, generally extorted more than was due : hence their very employment was held odious, and all who engaged m it were detested.