74. What is clearer, however, on this point
than the case of Ananias? He acted falsely as regards the price
he got for his land, for he sold it and laid at the apostles’
feet part of the price, pretending it was the whole amount. Acts v. 2. For this he perished as guilty of
fraud. He might have offered nothing and have acted so without
committing a fraud. But as deceit entered into his action, he
gained no favour for his liberality, but paid the penalty for his
artifice.