Mark the means used for his deliverance — [From human interference there was no hope : but the poor trembling Disciples did not yet despair : they knew that " whereinsoever the enemies of the Church might deal proudly, God was above them." To God therefore they addressed themselves with redoubled importunity : and continued all night in unceasing prayer for him. What foolish means would these appear to those who knew how closely he was guarded, and how determinately both Herod and the Jews were bent upon his death ! — But, if God be omnipotent, prayer, which interests God for us, may be called omnipotent also. What has it not done ? It has opened and shut the heavens ; van- quished armies ; saved kingdoms ; raised the dead ; — and it has an express promise from God, that, whatever the subject of it be, (provided it be agreeable to his will,) the requests urged by two or three, with united faith and fervour, shall certainly be granted.
O that we, as individuals, as a Church, as a nation, did but justly appreciate the power of prayer! how safe should we be from enemies, and how happy under the protection of our God! ]
See also the manner in which he was delivered —
[God heard the supplications of his people ; and marked, by the very time and manner of his interposition, what it was that prevailed for his deliverance. Access to Peter, though barred with respect to men, was as open as ever to God, and to angels, as his ministering servants. God therefore sent an angel to effect his deliverance : and behold, how speedily the work was done ! the chains fell off his hands ; the keepers and soldiers were constrained in some way or other, so that they could make no resistance; and the iron gate that entered into the city, opened to them of its own accord. So surprising was this deliverance, that Peter himself could not conceive it to be true, but thought it was all passing in a mere vision. And, when he went to the house where the people were praying for him, and the damsel who kept the door affirmed that it was Peter who stood knocking at the door, and that she knew his voice, they told her she was mad : and when they could not silence her positive assertions, they said, " It must be his angel." Had they duly considered, they would have seen that he was expressly given to their prayers ; and that God had fulfilled to them his own gracious promise, that " before they called he would answer, and, while they were yet speaking, he would hear d " ]
We may learn from hence,
a Isa. lxv. 24. See a similar instance, Dan. ix. 20, 21,23.