87 



principle of retribution in God. is found in Acts, 

 chapter 5, verses 1-11. "But a certain man 

 named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a 

 possession, and kept hack part of the price, his 

 wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain 

 part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter, 

 said, Ananias why hath Satan filled thine heart 

 to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part 

 of the price of the land? While it remained, 

 was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was 

 it not in thine own power? why hast thou con- 

 ceived this thing in thine heart ? thou hast not 

 lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias 

 hearing these words fell down, and gave up the 

 .ghost: and great fear came on all them that 

 heard these things. And the young men arose, 

 wound him up, and carried him out, and buried 

 him. And it was about the space of three hours 

 after, when his wife, not knowing what was 

 •done came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell 

 me whether ye sold the land for so much? And 

 she said, Yea, for so much: Then Peter said 

 nnto her, How is it that ye have agreed together 

 to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the 

 feet of them which have buried thy husband are 

 at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell 

 she down straight-way at his feet, and yielded 

 Tip the ghost: and the young men came in, and 

 found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried 



