peter's deliverance from prison.
Actsxii. 5. Peter therefore was kept in prison : but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
THE Scriptures inform us, that " God's counsel shall stand, and that he will do all his pleasure." Let the combinations against him be ever so formi- dable, the ultimate issue of the contest is certain3. Whatever circumstances therefore we may be in, we may safely commit our cause to him with confidence
a Ps. ii. 4 — 6.
1773.] peter's deliverance from prison. 403
and composure b. We cannot conceive a finer illus- tration of this subject, than that which is contained m the account of Peter's deliverance from prison.
Let us make some observations upon, I. His danger —
This was imminent indeed ; whether we consider, 1. The crime of which he was accused — [Had he been guilty of sedition or murder ? No. What then had he done that had incensed Herod, and rendered his apprehension and death a subject of universal satisfaction ? -tie had preached the Gospel with indefatigable zeal, and had laboured to convert both Jews and Gentiles to the knowledge of Christ. This was an offence that could not be expiated, but by his blood. All that had preceded him in the same path from the beginning of the world, had incurred the resentment of their contemporaries ; and, almost without exception, had suf- fered death for their fidelity; as Abel, and all the prophets, abundantly testify. And we cannot but wonder, that when persons are hated, reviled, and persecuted, simply for righteous- ness sake, (as thousands in this day are, as well as in former times,) it does not immediately occur to their persecutors, that these veiy sufferings are a testimony in their favour* ; inasmuch as they mark a close resemblance between them, and the per- secuted saints of old. But as long as « men love darkness rather than light," they will hate, and extinguish too if thev can, the light that shines around them.]
2. The state to which he was reduced — [He was in prison, chained to two soldiers, (one on either hand ) and guarded by sixteen, four of them at a time. His friends, though numerous, had no power to rescue him ; nor had he any in Herod's court to intercede for him. Nor was there now time for any favourable occurrences to arise; for this was his very last night; and on the morrow he was to be brought forth for public execution : and all his own country- men were anxiously waiting for the last tragical scene, and hoping within a few hours to feast their eyes with his blood What hope then remained for him ? Die he must : nor did there appear the smallest prospect, but that the fate which had already removed James, awaited him.]
But " what is impossible with man, is possible with God;" as we see in, II. His deliverance —
b Ps. xi. 1—4. 0 Tjllke xxi. 13-