Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 18:13

13 And the publicane standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

Those who fancy the Publican stood afar off from the Pharisee, because the Pharisees would suffer none but those of their Sect, at least none that were under such a Notoriety of disrepute, as the Publicanes generally were, to come near them; suppose him to have been a Jew (which is not impossible) if he were a Gentile, he must stand so far off as the Court of the Gentiles, was from the Court of Israel. This Publican's Humility in his Address to God, is described by his Posture; he lookt upon the Earth, as one that thought himself not worthy to look toward Heaven. 2. By his Action, He smote upon his Breast, as one full of Sorrow, and trouble. 3. By the matter and form of his Prayer, he confesseth himself a Sinner. He flyeth unto the free Grace of God▪ Here's not a Word of Boasting, that he was not such, or such, nor yet that he did thus, or thus. He confesseth himself a Sinner, a Miserable Sinner, and fleeth to the free Grace of God, thereby instructing us how to make our Applications to God, disclaiming any Goodness or Righteousness in our selves, and fleeing to the alone Merits of Christ, and the free Grace of God in, and through him.