Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsActs 5

Defrauded.

In that (saith S. Augustine ^[1] ) he withdrew any part of that which he promised, he was guilty at once, both of sacrilege ^[2], and of fraud. Of sacrilege, because he robbed God of that which was his by promise: of fraud, in that he withheld of the whole gift, a piece. Let now the Heretics come, and say it was for lying or hypocrisy only that this fact was condemned: because they be loath to have sacrilege counted any such sin, who have taught men not only to take away from God some piece of that, or all that themselves gave, but plainly to spoil & apply to themselves all that other men gave.

• 1 Aug. ser. 9. in append. de diversis tom. 10.
• 2 Sacrilege.

Peter said.

S. Peter (as you see here) without man's relation knew this fraud and the cogitations of Ananias, and as head of the College and of the whole Church against which this robbery was committed, executed this heavy sentence of Excommunication ^[1] both against him, and his wife consenting to the Sacrilege. For it was excommunication by S. Augustine's judgement, (li. 3 cont. ep. Parm. c. 1. to. 7.) and had this corporal miraculous death joined withal, as the Excommunication that S. Paul ^[2] gave out against the incestuous and others, had the corporal vexation of Satan incident unto it.

• 1 Excommunication joined with corporal pains.
• 2 1. Cor. 5.

In thy power.

^[1] If it displeased God (saith S. Augustine) to withdraw of the money which they had vowed to God how is he angry when chastity is vowed and is not performed? For to such may be said that which S. Peter said of the money: Thy virginity remaining did it not remain to thee, and before thou didst vow, was it not in thine own power? For, whosoever have vowed such things and have not payed them, let them not think to be condemned to corporal deaths, but to everlasting fire. August. Ser. 10. de diversis. And S. Gregory ^[2] to the same purpose writeth thus, Ananias had vowed money to God, which afterward overcome with devilish persuasion he withdrew: but with what death he was punished, thou knowest. If then he were worthy of that death, who took away the money that he had given to God, consider what great peril in God's judgement thou shalt be worthy of, which hast withdrawn, not money, but thyself from almighty God, to whom thou hadst vowed thyself under the habit or weed of a Monk.

• 1 Vow of Chastity, & the breach thereof.
• 2 Greg. li. 1. ep. 33.

Not to men, but.

To take from the Church or from the Governors thereof, things dedicated to their use and the service of God, or to lie unto God's Ministers, is so judged of before God, as if the lie were made, and the fraud done to the Holy Ghost himself, who is the Church's President and Protector.

His shadow.

^◦ Specially they sought to Peter the chief of all, who not only by touching, as the other, but by his very shadow cured all diseases. Whereupon S. Augustine saith, If then the shadow of his body could help, how much more now the fullness of power? And if then a certain little wind of him passing by did profit them that humbly asked, how much more the grace of him now being permanent & remaining? Ser. 29. de Sanctis, speaking of the miracles done by the Saints now reigning in heaven.

• ◦ Peter's shadow & intercession.