The Whole Duty of Divine Meditation, Part 2 · Meditation 13
MED. XIII. The Proud Pharisee.
Luk. xviii. 11.
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.
SEE how Ingratitude is radicated in this proud Pharisee, that he so imperiously thanks Heaven! How prodigiously hath Pride metamorphos'd him! He that accustom'd himself to prolix Prayers, intends now to use brevity: His devoutest Posture is, Standing; and he comes not to Pray, but to Boast; not to Worship his Creator, but to Extoll himself: He is not qualify'd to be highly Pious, being so opinionated and transported with his own Virtues, that he is destitute of either Time or Patience to remember the sole Author, whose Benignity he would pretendedly seem to acknowledge, but 'tis so luke-warmly, 'twere better he were ungrateful still.
II. TRUTH had a lucky chance, to proceed from such graceless Lips. He did, indeed, far excell others, even to the Superlative degree of Audaciousness: But had he been acquainted with himself better, he would have proved more Grateful, and not so Arrogant. How amply doth he disturb the Ear of Heaven with these Ostentations of his singular Value; but for his Pride and Arrogancy, makes not the least Apology. Indeed, he Thanks the Almighty; but 'tis after a modish Carelessness, and rather an airy Complement, than a solid Prayer.
III. HE may plead Ignorance; but be found guilty of the breach of the Second Commandment, in the First Table. For he knows he is forbid to Worship Idols, or Images; yet thinks it no Sin to Idolize himself: and therefore dares presume to offer to the Almighty a Schedule of his own Merits. How many apt Scholars is there in the World, that hath perfectly learn'd this Lesson, and imprinted it in their Memory? See how the Roman Pharisees charm and puff up themselves with Pride, by their sanctimonious Acts of Supererogation, and think to scale Heaven by a Ladder of their own forming; magnifying a superabundant Piety, and triumphing in a meritotious superfluity of performing more than their appointed Task.
IV. WITH how much Agility do our trembling Enthusiasts follow their Generals Path, in a sanctimonious Pride, by a supercillious Purity of Intention; presuming it their Prerogative to reform the Universe, and create it again a-new? That Canonize themselves according to their mode; and with the proud Pharisee, not only thank the Almighty, but tell him positively they far excell other Men; That outragiously and loudly proclaim themselves the great Luminary of the World, and in a devout lunacy, wou'd croud in new Notions, extravagantly decrying all Religions but their own? These malecontented Pretenders immure themselves a-part from others; and by a morose Piety, are become so prodigiously Divine, that they have always extinguish'd their Humanity.
V. NOW, if the Pharisee were not as other Men, yet these resemble him, having been such exact Proficients in his Nature and Religion. So apt and prone, O Lord, are we to be seduced, even in our best Performances, and (whil'st we vainly imagine our selves not only to excell others, but so meritorious in Thy sight) as to be elevated into Presumption. Tis Humility must Crown all our Graces, and put a Lustre on our Requests, whil'st the presuming Assurance of our own Merits does not only deface, but seclude us from Thee.
VI. TEACH us therefore, O Lord, with such Expressions of Gratitude, to use Thy Gifts, that we may not be stupified, so as to be forgetful of our selves or Thee▪ Whil'st others arrogantly boast themselves in meritorious Acts of Supererogation, let us earnestly endeavour humbly to acknowledge, confess and bewail our many Imperfections. Let not a sanctimonious Pride seize upon our Immortal Souls, that may any ways hinder us from being innocent from the great Offence.