THE white horse that went out at the opening of the first seale , a a Reuel. 6. 1. whose rider had a bow and a crowne , and made victorious Conquests , may seeme to bee that suadae medulla , the power of the Spirit in the lips of the Apostles , that so soone and suddenly wan such worlds of soules to the obedience of the Gospel ; whose confluence and concourse was not more conspicuous for the companie , then prodigious for the Vnanimitie : where Platoes idea of perfect communitie , was really performed ; and his excellent modell of true Vnanimitie was actually established . For here indeede was Cor vnum & anima vna : for saith S. Luke , b b Cap. 4 38. The multitude of beleeuers were of one heart and minde , in so much as there was none that lacked : for such as were possessors of lands and houses sold them , and laid downe the prices at the Apostles feete , and distribution was made according as euery one did need . So did other : so did Ioses a Leuite , and for that cause was happily of the Apostles surnamed Barnabas , or the sonne of consolation , for comforting the hearts of the Church , who as yet were but barely prouided for , persecution being feared without , and penurie felt within her doores . But as he and other did beautifie the religion with their deuotion , so there want not that blemish the same with their deep dissimulation . Therefore S. Luke to illustrate the fact of the one , opposeth ex diametro , the fault of the other , as Chrysostome obserueth ; to the ende , the dissimulation of Ananias may giue a lustre to the sinceritie of Ioses , and shewe the world , that there is a consolation in Christ , c c Phil 〈◊〉 a comfort of loue , a fellowship of the Spirit , and bowels of mercie , though profane men neither praise it , nor practise it . This the occasion .

Now here is set downe a wicked combination of a man and his wife , in a matter of Dedication , by themselues done to God and his Church , how to delude and frustrate both : which counterfeit carriage , the great and holy Apostle , doth both descrie and discouer , first to their conuiction , secondly to their confusion . Where first we may reade the sinne , and then the censure . The sinne is Sacriledge , that is , compilation or cousenage of things now consecrated to God and holy vses . The censure is Excommunication , or distriction of the spiritual sword , and that in the heauiest of all heauie curses . The sinne is set downe first barely by Luke , by way of historicall narration ; the censure inflicted by Peter , by Apostolicall iurisdiction ; the historie is couched in the two first verses , and comprise the efficients , materiall , and formall causes . Ananias and his wife sold a possession , and kept backe part of the price , and brought 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a certaine quillet or quidditie , a thing of nothing in comparison of the maine , a niggardly share ; whereas they had promised the whole , as Barnabas had done before , and they made shewe to imitate .

vers 3. The censure followes ; first , in reprehension ; secondly , in castigation . The reproofe containes , 1. an accusation , v. 3. 2. a confutation . The accusation is in the appellation of the offender , Ananias ; and enumeration of the parts of the offence , which are three ; 1. The author by whose suggestion , Why hath Sathan filled thine heart ? where is also touched part of the forme of the offence . 2. The obiect against whom the sinne was committed , including also the other part of the forme ; That thou shouldst lie to the holy Ghost . 3. The subiect wherein the matter of the sinne consisted , And keep backe part of the price of the possession .

vers. 4. The Confutation followes , and that is of three secret obiections , answerable to the heads of the accusation , but inuerting the order , as the manner of Scripture is to doe : to the last first .

Obiect . 1. A man may doe with his owne what he will ; but this was mine : ergo . To this the Apostle answereth by letting passe the maior , as beeing impertinent , and denying the minor , with distinguishing vpon the time : first for time of possession ▪ granting it , when it remained ( vnsold ) remained it not to thee ? namely , the land : secondly , and for time of alienation yeelding it , and when it was sold , was it not in thine owne power ? namely the price : thirdly , but for time of dedication , denying it strongly by interrogation , and passing it ouer by a crypsis of method , as if all law and logicke , all rule and reason , did disavow it : for thou hadst no more right to the monie now giuen , then to the land now sold .

Obiect . 2. As to the author , he might say , if it were an offence , yet was it not mine but Satans , as your selfe auouch . To this he answers with a non sequitur , though Sathans by temptation , yet yours also by approbation : he might haue as one noteth , suadendi astu●iam , not cogendi potentiam , he might suggest , hee could not enforce : he was the founder , the woer , the father ; thy heart was the worker , the spouse , the mother : why hast thou conceiued this thing in thy heart ?

Obiect . 3. Well then , though a fault , and in some sort my fault also , yet no such great fault as needed so sharpe and publike reproofe ; at the worst , being but to a few simple men , that could challenge nothing of a free donation , and might haue receiued other satisfaction . Answ. Yes , your sinne is not so much to men , who are but the Assignes to whom the benefit of your donation should haue acrued , as vnto God who is the donor ; who by such fraud is frustrated , and by your dodging dishonoured : not onely the father that foundeth his Church in his Sonne , and the Sonne that collecteth it by his Spirit , but the holy Spirit that sequestreth it by his power , sanctifieth it with his grace , beautifieth it with his gifts , combineth it with his loue , preserueth it by his prouidence , and honoureth it with his truth : Thou hast not lied vnto man , but vnto God : euen God the holy Ghost .

COncerning his sinne , that it should be proportionate to his punishment , all do not agree ; the most auouch that it was Sacriledge , none say it was lesse , but some say more , as namely that sinne vnto death , the sinne against the holy Ghost . I thinke it was both . First , that his sinne was Sacriledge , it is First , Sacriledge . too apparent to be gainesaid , as I am of opinion , although the learned Fulke vpon the Rhemish notes Fulke in locum . seemeth to denie it , as I take , in heate of dispute . For the detaining or detracting of any thing dedicated to holy vse , though dedicated but by mentall intention , hath beene defined to be sacriledge , by such as haue defined that sinne ; and so the streame of auncient and moderne Diuines doth run generally that way : as thus , S. Augustine , a a De verbis Apost. Ideo cito mortuus est Ananias , vt paterit quam magnum peccatum esset , quod oblatum est iterum retrahere : Ananias died suddenly , to shew how hainous a sinne it is , to reuoke anything that is offered or dedicated to God . Chrysostome , b b in locum . Vides quid hoc crimen imputatur , eo quòd pecunias suas accepit quas consecrârat : thou seest how he is charged with a crime for taking away his monies which he had consecrated or hallowed . And a little after , Sacrilegium enim valde graue & magno contemptu plenum : for sacriledge is a very grieuous sinne , and full of great contempt . S. Ambrose , c c ser ● . 9. Dum ex co quod promiserat partem su●trahit , sacrilegij simul accusatur & fraudis : for defaulting a moitie of that which he had promised to God , he is charged with sacriledge and fraud . So the old . Calvin , d d in locum Sacrilega fraudatio quod partem eius subducit quod sacrum esse profitebatur : it was sacrilegious iugling to diminish that which he professed holy . Aretius , e e in locum . Furtum fuisset in re propria , fraude retinere quod simulat publicare : it had beene stealth or ordinary theft in his proper and priuate goods , fraudulently to hold backe what he made show to make common : Ergo , this was sacriledge . Beza , f f in annot. Cum totum pretium deo consecrasset , post per sacrilegium partem separabat : hauing vowed the whole , he subtracts a part to his owne vse . So the new .

Now to define Sacriledge , historians vse the word diuersly : for noting this siune to be both hainous and odious , therefore they call all hainous and hatefull sinnes by the name : as sorcerie , murder , violation of parents , trucidation of Princes , and whatsoeuer engendreth publique detestation and slaunder .

But indeed the word in proper signification hath respect to God , whether by derogation of his glory , or violation of his law , or opposition of his truth , or vsurpation of his titles , or prophanation of his Temples , or vilification of his seruice , or diminution of his reuenewes and things dedicated to his honour . The Etymologists of both Tongues , deriue it from stealing g g ●om . ● . 〈◊〉 . , as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and sacrilegus doe import .

ALthough in the 2. Chapter I laid downe his sinne in some generalitie , by way of explication , yet now order leadeth vs by the hand of the text , to vnfold the branches somewhat more particularly , by way of demonstration , not as hunting out the hainousnesse thereof in any one arme or diuision thereof , but shewing the forme and materialls in the whole ioyntly together . The first part therefore is the author , and prime moouer , which is here by the Apostle said to be Satan .

1. The author , Satan . Now although the Prince of darkenesse doth worke in all the children of disobedience , and the deuill hath his hand in euery sinne , yet it is not vsuall to name or mention him , but in some very notorious and greatly outragious ; as in that of Iudas a a Ioh. 13. 17. , that the Deuill entred into him : and of Elymas b b Act. 13. 10. , that he was the child of the Deuill : and of Antichrist c c 2. Thes. 2. 9. , that his comming is with the effectuall working of the Deuill : and in the Ecclesiasticall historie , when the horrible heretike Cerinthus d d Euseb. greeted Saint Iohn the Apostle and Euangelist , with non nosti nos ? knowe you not mee ? receiued this answer , noui te primogenitum diaboli , yes , I know you to be the deuills eldest sonne . So that as the Poets in inextricable exigencies , do bring down Iupiter vpon the stage , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , by a deuise or engine : so doth God in matters that passe the ordinarie pitch , bring in Sathan to shew the transcendencie of the sault .

We are then to know , for the fountaine of sinne , that there are cogitationes immissae , Satans iaculations , and cogitationes ascendentes , humane ebullitions : this of Ananias is mixt of both , as appeares in the next words , where repeating the same matter he alters the phrase , saying , why hast thou conceiued this thing in thy heart ? so that both Satan did fill his heart , and his heart conceiued it ; Satan by inticing , moouing , perswading ; he by consenting , yeelding , obeying : Satan by casting in his fierie darts of temptation , he by blowing these coales of destruction . By the enuy of the deuill ( saith Syracides ) e e W●s 2. 14. sinne entred into the world : yet out of the heart ( saith our Sauiour ) f f Mat. 15. 19. arise euill thoughts , murders , adulteries , thefts , &c.

Wherefore , as Satan entred into Iudas , g g August . non tam vt tentaret , quàm vt possideret , not so much to tempt him , as to possesse him : non vt alienum , sed vt proprium , not as a stranger , but as his peculiar : nec tam vt possideret , quàm vt transformaret , not so much to possesse him , as transforme him : whereupon our Sauiour h h Ioh. 6. 70. said , haue not I chosen you twelue , and one is a deuill ? so he tempted , possessed , transformed Ananias , with an extraordinarie temptation , a souraigne domination , an vniuersall transmutation : so that as Iudas was a traytor before he did betray , ( as our Sauiour insinuates ) quod i i Ioh. 23. 27. facis , ( in the present tense ) fac citò ; for beeing so wholly set vpon it , with head , and heart , and hand , that had his heads beene as many as Cerberus , or the whore of Babylon ; and his hands as many as Briareus , or any King of whom it is said , An niscis multas regibus esse manus ? he would haue set them all on worke ; so full he was vp to the top , non ●am facit peccatum , sed est peccatum k k August . : it was too small a predication to say he did sinne ; for he was conuerted into sinne , hee was nothing but sinne . And yet this was but one halfe of his sinne , that he left no place for God , no place for goodnesse , Satan had taken vp all the roomes in his heart , as interpreters do obserue . And all this is but his stampe of one side , whose man he was , and whom hee entertained . Come to the other side , whom he ( I will not say ) kept out , but draue out , his sinne against the holy Ghost ; the second part of the sinne .

● . Obiect , against whom . Although lying be sometime set for dissembling in the holy booke : as where Dauid saith , l l Psal. 18. 44. his enemies shall lie vnto him , speaking both of the type , himselfe or his sonne , and the Messias , to note the hypocrisie and false-heartednes of his vanquished subiects : and againe of the like , m m Psal. 81. 15. they should haue beene found liers vnto him , that is , they should humble themselues with false obedience and forged submission : yet as we haue noted , Cap. 2. very learned Expositors , besides the aduantage of the letter , haue taken it for that irremissible blafphemie , that is directed against the third person in Trinitie , not of ignorance , or of infirmity , as to the sonne , and the Father ; but of malice to the fountaine and author of holines ; which as the schoolemen say , n n Thomas . Id●ò colorem non habet excusationis , quod quantum in se est , directè impugnativum est medici & remedij , per quod fit remissio peccati : it hath no colour of excuse , because as much as in it is , it doth directly oppose both the Physitian , and the Physicke , whereby remission is wrought . Bellarmine , o o de poen. l. 2. cap. 1. Directè resistit & repudiat gratiam Dei , it plainely resisteth and refuseth Gods mercy : such is the sinne .

Now if we looke when or wherein this sinne by him was committed , we finde nothing but this fact , for which he was tainted or touched ; then this verie sinne , quatenus , he promised such goods to the author of holinesse , to be a helpe and meanes to propagate holinesse , as it concerned the person cui , was blasphemie , beeing frustrated and falsified in the effect : as it considered the thing in quo , the detension of that which was so deuoted , was sacriledge : which is the third branch of his sinne , now comming in order to be touched , or the circa quod .

3. Subiect wherin . Wherein we must now no more set our eie vpon the partie , to whom the origination and procuration of holinesse doth pertaine ( the last thing which we considered ) but the materialls of holinesse , or the things sanctified and separate for holy seruice themselues ; of the fellonious diminishing whereof Ananiis here charged , as we saw before : and it is seuerally set downe in the next words , by a disiunctiue coniunction , thus , and keep backe part of the price of the possession .

Wherein beside his impious legier-de-maine , that Ficta oblatione Deum & Ecclesiam fallere vouit , saith Calvin , by a false shew of a bountifull heart , hee went about to gull both God and his Church ; we obserue his fowle prophanation of a faire constitution , for it was now a voluntarie graunt or a customarie practise , receiued for law in that litle commonwealth , that such as had should improoue their loue to the highest linke ; when he like Ionas worme doth blast the honour of God , the vse of goods , his owne deuotion , and others sustentation , with one cast of hypocrisie .

I will not mention his foolish ambition , that for a small aire of humane applause , he could be content to forfeit his reward in heauen : nor his Paganish incredulitie , that thought God either would not in so many coufluences of Proselytes , or could not in so great incumbrances of opposites , maintaine his Church ; and therefore thought to haue more hold of his hand , then he had of his tongue .

These be the parts of his sinne seuerally laid open in themselues , and yet in such reciprocall aspect and position one to another , that they touch and take essence and efficacie one from another : for the fulnesse of Satan argues , his totall and finall apostacie from God ; and his sinne against the holy Ghost , confirmes his sacriledge to the holy Church ; and lastly , his enuying and spoyling the holy Church , prooueth his compleate deuillishnesse . Of which particulars before we collect the totall summe , let vs gather such vses of these points as lie scattered in our way , that both our path may be the smoother , and our prouision for the rest of our passage the better .