John Bunyon was an English 17th Christian writer and preacher. He is best knownfor his allegory The Pilgrims Progress. In his autobiographical book GraceAboundi... » 

John Bunyon was an English 17th Christian writer and preacher. He is best knownfor his allegory The Pilgrims Progress. In his autobiographical book GraceAbounding Bunyan describes himself as having led an abandoned life in hisyouth and as having been morally reprehensible as a result. Aftercontemplating his acts as a youth he became a Baptist. In 1655 he became achurch deacon and began preaching. The Pharisee and Publican is a sermon whichuses a text from Luke. Two men went up into the temple to pray the one aPharisee and the other a Publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus withhimself God I thank thee that I am not as other men are extortionersunjust adulterers or even as this Publican. I fast twice in the week I givetithes of all that I possess. And the Publican standing afar off would notlift up so much as his eyes unto heaven but smote upon his breast saying Godbe merciful to me a sinner.Luke xviii. 1013. «