The works of the Reverend and learned John Lightfoot D. D., late Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge such as were, and such as never before were printed : in two volumes : with the authors life and large and useful tables to each volume : also three maps : one of the temple drawn by the author himself, the others of Jervsalem and the Holy Land drawn according to the author's chorography, with a description collected out of his writings.

Vers. 3. To lye to the Holy Ghost, or rather, to belie the Holy Ghost.

It was not the sin only, barely, and simply considered, that provoked and procured so fearful a Judgment upon him, but the sin, as it was circumstantiated and aggravated by some respects. For it seemeth that Ananias was not a common or ordinary believer, but one of the Ministerial rank, and one that had received the gift of the Holy Ghost, as well as the rest of the 120. And considerable to this purpose are these two things.

First, That as soon as the Evangelist hath mentioned the pious and upright dealing of Barnabas (which was a Preacher) in the sale of his Lands, he cometh to the story of Ananias, as a man of the same function, and relateth his wretchedness in the sale of his.

Secondly, That though it be said in vers. 4. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that he lied to God, yet is he said in the third verse 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, To belie the Holy Ghost. By which Phrase it seemeth that he had received the Holy Ghost among the rest that did receive it; and yet for all that excellent gift in himself, and the excellent gift that he knew in the Apostles; he durst by this base dissembling belie and shame the gifts that were in himself, and tempt the power of the Holy Ghost that was in Peter.

And thus was Ananias much like Judas, exceedingly qualified and eminently gifted with the gifts of the Spirit, but like him undone with covetousness, and for it perished by an exemplary end. There was none among all the twelve so fit to give sentence upon this fact as Peter: as who might hereby shew his own repentance for his lying and perjury in denying his Master, and that he was intirely repaired and recovered from it, when he durst pass so heavy a doom and judgment upon a lie.