The Puritan and the Catholic: a short Parable

Two men went up to the temple to pray; one a Puritan and the other a Catholic. The Puritan stood up and prayed thus with himself: “God, I thank you that I am of the elect and not like other men. I have the internal testimony of the Holy Spirit and the infallible assurance of my salvation. I condemn all traditions of men and strive to keep even the least commandments of the law.” Meanwhile the Catholic beat his breast saying, “God be merciful to me a sinner!” I tell you this second man went away justified rather than the first, for “every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”