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…

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 faults were alike they might hau• ben known together: but this was more fit and profitable for the church, that they might severally bewray their own wickedness. Neither was Sapphira provoked by the sight of her husband to dissemble (as it falleth out oftentimes) that the fault could be ascribed to shamefastness: but of her own accord, and being pricked forward by no other means, she seemeth to be no better than her husband. Moreover their wickedness in lying was like, for as much as she may see by Peter his interrogation that that their guile was found out.

7 That punishment wherewith the Lord punished Sapphira, conteineth no newe thing: saue onely that the example was the more confirmed thereby. And it came to passe by the certaine prouidence of God that the Church shoulde see apart the obstinate wickednes and trecherous mind of them both. Seeing their faults were alike they might hau• ben known togither: but this was more fit and profitable for the church, that they might seuerally bewray their owne wickednes. Neither was Sapphira prouoked by the sight of her husband to dissemble (as it falleth out oftentimes) that the fault could be ascribed to shamefastnes: but of her owne accord, and being pricked forward by no other meanes, shee seemeth to be no better than her husband. Moreouer their wickednesse in lying was like, for as much as shee may see by Peter his interrogation that that their guile was found out.

8 Tell me. We see that God doeth not by and by punish her, but first he trieth the matter throughly: least he should send vengeance upon any save the obstinate, & those which will not be pardoned. For although Sapphira did know that the matter was hidden, she ought to have been stricken with this question of Peter, no otherwise than if she had ben cited to appear before the judgement seat of God. She hath a time granted her to repent: yea this is as it were a pleasant inviting unto repentance. But she in holding on so carelessly, doeth declare that she was uncurable: because she is touched with no fear of God. And hereby are we taught to labour diligently to bring sinners into the way. For the spirit of God keepeth this moderation: but when as stubbornness and the stubborn contempt of God is added unto the offence, it is now high time to punish. Therefore those men are too arrogant who are displeased with the immoderate rigour of God. It is rather our duty