1.Those things which Luke hath reported hitherto did show that that company, which was gathered together under the name of Christ, was rather a company of angels than of men, Moreover, that was incredible virtue, that the rich men did despoil themselves of their own accord, not only of their money,... [ Continue Reading ]
3._And Peter said. _How did Peter know Ananias’ fraud (and purloining?) Undoubtedly by the revelation of the Spirit. Therefore, Luke signifieth unto us, that the apostles did after a sort represent God’s person, and supply his room. If the Spirit of God, by the mouth of a mortal man, do so sore urge... [ Continue Reading ]
4._Did it not remaining. _This amplifieth the offense because he sinned, being enforced by no necessity. For seeing it is no just or lawful excuse to have been provoked by some other means, how much worse is it to run headlong unto wickedness willingly, and, as it were of set purpose to pull down Go... [ Continue Reading ]
5._When Ananias heard these things. _The death of Ananias doth, indeed, declare and prove the force of the word, which Paul cloth highly extol; to wit, that it is the savor of death unto death to those which perish, (2 Corinthians 2:16.) He speaketh, indeed, of the spiritual death of the soul, but t... [ Continue Reading ]
7.That punishment wherewith the Lord punished Sapphira containeth no new thing, save only that the example was the more confirmed thereby. And it came to pass by the certain providence of God, that the Church should see apart the obstinate wickedness and treacherous mind of them both. Seeing their f... [ Continue Reading ]
8._Tell me. _We see that God doth not by and by (243) punish her, but first he trieth the matter thoroughly, lest he should send vengeance upon any save the obstinate, and those which will not be pardoned. (244) For although Sapphira did know that the matter was hidden, she ought to have been strick... [ Continue Reading ]
9._To tempt the Spirit. _He uttereth the same thing in other words which he had said before; to wit, that they did mock God unreverently and contemptibly. But he said that they _tempted _the Spirit, because they had cunningly packed their fraud, as if the Spirit of God were not the knower of the hea... [ Continue Reading ]
11._And there came fear. _He saith, again, that the punishment of one was a lesson to all. But he plainly expresseth in this place a double fear. He saith that the Church feared, because the faithful do never so perfectly fear God, but that they profit yet more, being admonished by his judgments. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
12.He returneth to miracles of another sort, which are more proper to the gospel; to wit, whereby Christ doth not only declare his power, but also his goodness; to the end he may allure men unto himself with the sweetness of his grace. For he came to save the world, and not to condemn it. Therefore,... [ Continue Reading ]
13._And of other durst no man. _This was the second fruit of the miracles, in that these which believed not, being convict with the excellent power of God, dare not despise the apostles, but are rather enforced to reverence the Church. Yet that might seem an absurd thing, that being terrified with m... [ Continue Reading ]
15._The shadow of Peter, as he came. _The Papists abuse this text, [as a pretexts] not only to the end they may commend reigned miracles, which they say are done at the graves of martyrs, but also that they may boast of their relics. Why (say they) shall not the grave, or garment, the touching of th... [ Continue Reading ]
17.Luke hath hitherto declared that the Church was wonderfully increased, that it was furnished (254) with divers gifts, that it excelled in miracles; finally, that the kingdom of Christ did flourish there by all means. Now he beginneth to show that the fury of the wicked was kindled with these thin... [ Continue Reading ]
19._The angel of the Lord. _The Lord brought the apostles out of prison, not because he would rid them quite out of the hands of their enemies, for he suffered them afterwards to be brought back again, and to be beaten with rods; but he meant to declare, by this miracle, that they were in his hand a... [ Continue Reading ]
20._Speak in the temple. _This is the end of their deliverance, that they employ themselves stoutly in preaching the gospel, and provoke their enemies courageously, until they die valiantly. For they were put to death at length when the hand of God ceased, after that they had finished their course;... [ Continue Reading ]
21._And when the chief priest came. _The chief priest calleth all the council together now, lest, if giving the honor to his own sect, he omit others, and be not able to bear the burden; therefore, he is enforced by fear to call the multitude together, notwithstanding they observe diligently and str... [ Continue Reading ]
28.The chief priest layeth two crimes to the charge of the apostles, for he accuseth them of contumacy or stubbornness, (265) because they obeyed not the decree of the council. In the second member he betrayeth an evil conscience, or, at least, he showeth that he handled rather a private business th... [ Continue Reading ]
29.This is the sum of their answer, It is lawful for them, nay, they ought to prefer God before men. God commandeth us to bear witness of Christ; therefore it is in vain for you to command us to keep silence. But I have declared before in the third chapter, when this sentence taketh place, that we o... [ Continue Reading ]
30._The God of our fathers. _They descend unto the matter whereof they are to speak, that they may declare that they made small account of the commandment of the priests, not without cause, nor yet unadvisedly. For (as I have already said) the comparison between God and man taketh no place save only... [ Continue Reading ]
31._Him has God lifted up. _Therefore the apostles do signify that whatsoever the wicked do go about, it did not hinder and keep back Christ from fulfilling his function which was enjoined him by his Father. The_right hand of God _is taken for his power. Neither is the same metaphor used in this pla... [ Continue Reading ]
32._And we are his witnesses. _After that they have declared that their doctrine came from God, they descend now unto the other part that they speak as they were commanded by God, lest they seem to attempt anything unadvisedly. For this also was a necessary defense, as it is for all the ministers of... [ Continue Reading ]
33._They were cut in sunder. _The priests ought to have been thoroughly moved, though they had had hearts of iron, but they burst. (280) Whence we gather that no reasons can prevail with the reprobate, to bring them unto the obedience of Christ; for unless God speak within, the outward doctrine shal... [ Continue Reading ]
34.Luke showeth now after what manner God brought to nought the fury of the wicked. They were purposed to put the apostles to death; Gamaliel standeth up amidst them, to break off that mad consultation. Furthermore, he noteth the circumstances, to the end we may know how it could be, that one man co... [ Continue Reading ]
36._There arose one Theudas. _If we credit Josephus, Gamaliel altereth in this place the true course of the history. For he reporteth that Judas Gaulanites, who was born in Gamala, at such time as Quirinius, or Cyrenius, was proconsul, did raise a tumult with his adherents, because they would not ha... [ Continue Reading ]
40._Having beaten them, they commanded. _He saith that Gamaliel’s counsel was allowed; yet the apostles are beaten, and forbidden to preach. (293) Hereby we gather how great the rage of the enemies was, who being now pacified, or at least mitigated, do yet, notwithstanding, rage immoderately. (294)... [ Continue Reading ]
41._Then they went rejoicing. _We must not think that the apostles were so senseless but that they felt some shame and did also lament, when they felt the punishment; for they had not quite put off nature; (298) but when they considered the cause, then joy got the upperhand. So the faithful must be... [ Continue Reading ]
42._They ceased not. _Constancy did also accompany their Joy. For how is it that we are discouraged with persecution, save only because none lifteth up himself unto Christ, that he may in mind lay hold upon the fruit of victory, and so be pricked forward unto patience? But that man which thinketh wi... [ Continue Reading ]