Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 18:11

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 publicane.

From hence we may observe that Thanksgiving is a part of Prayer. It is said he Prayed, yet we read not of any one Petition he put up. His standing while he prayed is not to be faulted, (that was an usual posture used by Persons praying) unless the Pharisee made choice of it for Ostentation, that he might be the better taken notice of: Which was too much their fault, Matth. 6.5. whether the Term [non-Latin text not transcribed], with himself, in this place, signifyeth that he only prayed in his Heart, or with a Voice that could not be heard, or only that he prayed by himself, I doubt, for tho our Saviour, who knew Mens thoughts, could easily repeat his Prayer, supposing it only mental, or at least with a Voice not audible; yet this seemeth not to suit the Humour of a Pharisee, whose whole design was to be taken notice of, seen and heard by others he saith, God I thank thee, that I am not as other Men, Extortioners, Adulterers, &c. But was this blame worthy? may we not bless God for his restraining Grace, not suffering us to run into the same Excesses of Riot with other Men? Doubless it is both lawful, and our Duty provided, 1. That we speak Truth when we say it. 2. That we do not come to plead this as our Righteousness before God. But this Pharisee, 1. Speaks this in the Pride of his Heart, in the justification of himself. 2. In the Scorn, and Contempt of his Neighbour. 3. Tho he were guilty of as great Sins as these, tho of another kind. In the mean time we observe, That he did not attribute this Negative goodness, of which he had boasted, or that positive Goodness, which he will tell us on by and by to the Power of his own Will. He gives thanks to God for them.

Marginal references: Isa. 1.15. & 58.2. Rev. 3.17.