The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

For this cause is it that Christ maketh more account of the two mites offered by the widow, than of the great sums of others, who of their great heaps give some part. This is the cause why God doth show an example of such sharp punishment in Ananias. Now let us note every point by it self. He laid it at the feet of the Apostles. Lo what ambition doth. Ananias is ashamed, not to be accounted one of the best. therefore although he be greedy of money, yet to the end he may purchase a name amongst men, he depriveth himself of some part of his riches. In the mean while he doeth not consider that he lieth and deceiveth in the sight of God, and that God will punish this lye. So it is, that he honoureth the Apostles feet, more than Gods eyes. Wherefore we must take good heed, that when we do well, we do not seek to be praised of the by standers: and it is not without cause that Christ sayeth, that it is profitable for us, when we give our alms, to have the left hand ignorant of that which the right hand doth.

For this cause is it that Christ maketh more account of the two mites offered by the widdowe, than of the great summes of others, who of their great heapes giue some part. This is the cause why God doth shewe an example of such sharpe punishment in Ananias. Nowe let vs note euerie point by it selfe. He laide it at the feete of the Apostles. Loe what ambition doth. Ananias is ashamed, not to be accounted one of the best. therefore although hee be greedie of monie, yet to the ende he may purchase a name amongst men, hee depriueth himselfe of some part of his riches. In the meane while hee doeth not consider that hee lyeth and disceiueth in the sight of God, and that God will punish this lye. So it is, that he honoreth the Apostles feete, more than Gods eyes. Wherefore wee must take good heede, that when wee doe well, wee doe not seeke to bee praised of the by standers: and it is not without cause that Christ saieth, that it is profitable for vs, when wee giue our almes, to haue the left hande ignorant of that which the right hand doth.

3 And Peter said. Howe did Peter know Ananias his fraud and purloining? undoubtedly by the revelation of the Spirit. Therefore Luke signifieth unto us, that the Apostles did after a sort represent gods person, and supply his room. If the Spirit of God by the mouth of a