A Complete History and Mystery of the Old and New Testament, Part 2 · Chapter 12
CHAP. XII. Of Peter's Impriſonment and Inlargement.
THIS 12th Chapter contains the Hiſtory and Myſtery of the laſt Account we have Recorded in Scripture concerning the great Apoſtle Peter, ſave only, that after this his famous Confinement by Herod, and his Inlargement by an Angel (related at large in Acts 12.) we find upon Divine Record his giving of his Suffrage or Vote in the Council held at Jeruſalem, Acts 15. as likewiſe upon his going from thence to Antioch, he is there reproved by Paul to his face for his Judaizing and Diſſimulation, Gal. 2.21. N.B. Afterwards what courſe he took, neither doth this Divine Hiſtorian, nor any other holy Scripture mention, excepting the two Epiſtles of his; the firſt (as 'tis thought) was writ from Babylon, and the ſecond mentioning the Abuſe of Paul's Epiſtles by divers that wreſted the foreign or dark expreſſions thereof: But more of this may fall in hereafter. This preſent Story of Peter, Acts 12. is our task now in hand, wherein are moſtly remarkable theſe three eminent paſſages. (1.) The Antecedents. (2.) The Concomitants. (3.) The Conſequents of that wonderful Fate and Fare which here befel Peter, both concerning his Impriſonment, and his Inlargement from Priſon. (1.) The Antecedents hereof was the Martyrdom of James the great, wherof both the Author and the Manner are expreſſed, Acts 12.1, 2. Then (2.) The Concomitants, wherein are Recorded, (1.) Peter's Confinement, deſcribed by many circumſtances, as why, when, and by whom, verſe 3. and after what manner, namely, he was clap'd up a cloſe Priſoner, verſe 4. (2dly.) His Inlargement, wherein we have a deſcription, (1.) Of the Time when, verſe 6. (2.) The Motive thereunto, to wit, the unceſſant prayers of the Church for Peter's eſcape, verſe 5. (3.) The Means whereby he eſcaped; this was an Angel, verſe 7. (4.) The Manner how; this contains both what the Angel ſaid and did to Peter, and how all difficulties were eaſily done away, which ſeemed to hinder Peter's Releaſe, verſe 8, 9, 10. The things that then concurred, did concern, (1.) The Angel, who (having done his Meſſage) departed, verſe 10. Or (2.) Peter, who at firſt queſtioned the truth of his Releaſe, but finding it real, he was amazed at the Miracle, verſe 9. Magnifies God for that great Mercy, verſe 11. And after he had declared to his praying Friends how God had anſwered their prayers in his Deliverance, he ſhifts away to hide himſelf, verſe 17. Or (3.) The Saints that were aſſembled in Mark's Mother's houſe, verſe 12. had firſt their great Fear, verſe 12, 13. and then their greater Joy, even to an aſtoniſhment, verſe 14, 15, 16. Or (4.) The Souldiers that kept him in Priſon, verſe 18. And laſtly, Herod the King that caſt Peter into Priſon, he transfers the puniſhment deſigned for Peter, upon his Keepers, that (though ſore againſt their will) had let him go, verſe 19. (3dly.) The Conſequents hereof are, (1.) Herod's wonderful Death for his Pride, verſe 20, 21, 22. And (2.) The Church's Peace thereby, verſe 24. All theſe three eminent paſſages afford their ſeveral Remarks. As,
Firſt; From the Antecedents, the Remarks thereon are theſe; (1.) Afflictions do ſeldom come ſingle upon the Church and Children of God. Here were Contemporary Troubles which did fall out together upon the faithful here; both the Famine throughout Judea (which might laſt ſeveral years, as many have done in Divine and Humane Hiſtory mentioned) Acts 11.28, 30. And this foul Perſecution wherein the Apoſtle James periſhed, happened at, or about the ſame time, Acts 12.1, 2. The Saints do uſually fall into divers Temptations at once, James 1.2. Fluctus Fluctum Trudit, one Wave of the Sea of Adverſity immediately ſucceed each other, and do offer violence to us, as they did upon Jacob, Gen. 42.36. making us cry out as he did [All theſe things are againſt me] with their joynt and overwhelming force. Thus Job's Meſſengers did (as it were) tread upon the heels one of another with their reiterated blows, &c.
The ſecond Remark from the Antecedent is; The Devil never needs to ſtarve his deviliſh work for want of deviliſh Inſtruments. N.B. All Ages do furniſh him with fit Tools for his helliſh Ends; He never wants a Pharaoh in the Old Teſtament-Times, nor an Herod in the New: He hath always ſome fit for his work: He had his many Bloody Herods in New Teſtament-Times; As (1.) Herod the Askalonite (or rather Raſcalonite) to murder the Innocent Babes of Bethlehem. (2.) His Herod Antipas to Behead the Baptiſt, and alſo to deride our dear Redeemer. And (3.) This his Herod Agrippa (Father to that King Agrippa we read of, Acts 25. and 26.) and the more likely a man for doing the Devil's Drudgery, as being Brother to that Dancing Damoſel Herodias, who danced John Baptiſt's Head from off his ſhoulders, &c. This Man was now Vice-Roy, or Deputy-King under the Roman Emperour, and had a ceremonious Zeal in the Jewiſh way, which highly tranſported him to act wickedly, as well as warmly againſt the Church of Chriſtians: Hereupon it is a black Brand put upon him by the Holy Spirit [that he ſtretched forth his hands to vex certain of the Church] Acts 12.1. which phraſe imports his vehemency of mind in perſecuting-work, yet God withered it not as he did Jeroboam's.
The third Remark is; 'Tis an old Trick of cruel Tyrants, not only to curry favour with the wicked by ſhedding the blood of the godly (as this Tyrant's Character is v. 3. and as was the practice of all the Royal Poſterity of Herod the Great, this man's great Grand-father, who chiefly ſtudied to pleaſe the Roman Emperours their Maſters, and to gratifie the Jews their Subjects, making no matter whether by right or wrong) but alſo to Rage moſt furiouſly againſt the Governours of the Church (as here againſt James and Peter) ſaying with the Tyrants of later Times [Kill the Captains. and thoſe Liſted under them are more eaſily deſtroyed.] This Chriſt foretold [The Shepherds be ſmitten, and the Sheep are ſcattered] Matth. 26.31.
The fourth Remark is; The Blood thirſty Blood-Hounds of that old Man-ſlayer (tho Davil) hath ſuch an inſatiable Thirſt upon them after Blood, that they can never be ſatiated or glutted with ſhedding Blood; as it was here with this bloody Herod, who thought is not enough [to ſtretch forth his hands in vexing certain of the Church, verſe 1.] that is, to kill ſome and to puniſh others with blows and baniſhment, eſpecially the Governours of the Church, too well knowing how much all the Members of the Body do ſuffer by ſympathy, when their Head and Miniſters are ſo mortally wounded by his cruel hands: Nor was it enough to him to kill James with the Sword, verſe 2. that is, to Behead him (for ſo the Talmud in Sanhedrim, per. 7. hal. 3. ſaith, thoſe that were ſlain by the Sword were Beheaded according to the Cuſtom of the Roman Kingdom) but he proceeded farther to take Peter alſo, verſe 3. 'Tis with thoſe Tyrants, as it is with thoſe that have the Dropſie, the more they drink, the more dry they are. This is that wonder John ſaw in the Apocalyptick Beaſt (blood-thirſty Babel) Rev. 17.6. a wonder with a Climax or Gradation. N.B. (1.) He ſaw a Woman drunk (the Whore of Babylon) this is a greater wonder than to ſee a Man drunk. (2.) No Liquor would ſerve this Whore to be drunk with, but Blood. And (3.) No Blood, but the Blood of Saints. Though this Liquor of Saints-blood made this Whore-woman drunk, yet is ſhe (like brutiſh Barnaby) drunk over night, and dry in the morning, ſtill thirſting for more blood, till at laſt the Lord Omnipotent (who judgeth the Whore) will deal with her, as Tomy…is did with Cyrus, whoſe Head ſhe cut off, and caſt it into a bowl of blood, ſaying [Satia…te ſanguine quem ſitaſti, cujuſque inſatiabilis ſemper fuiſts] that is, glut thy ſelf in that bowl with thy mouth-full of blood, wherewith thou could never yet be glutted. Thus the Lord will deal with this bloody Whore, when he caſts her into the Lake of Fire and Brimſtone.
The fifth Remark is; Such as are moſt uſeful to, and moſt eminent in the Church, be the moſt obvious Objects, moſtly expoſed to the fury of Perſecutors: As here this James the Brother of John was to Herod. Thus alſo was Peter to him: This James was call'd a B…anerges, or Son of Thunder, by our Saviour, Mark 3.17. becauſe of the bigneſs of his Voice, and for his zealous and earneſt Preaching: To this eminent, yea one of the eminenteſt Apoſtles, was the care of the Church at Jeruſalem more eſpecially committed: No wonder then if he were the more hated by Herod, whom the Devil ſo ſtirred up to deſtroy this Man. So it came to paſs what his Lord had foretold him Matth. 20.23. that he drank of the ſame Cup, which his Maſter did drink of.
The ſixth Remark is; Such is the Soveraignty of God over all his own Servants, that it is his pleaſure to permit ſeveral Fates to attend them, though they be imbarked together in one and the ſame Bottom of Generation-work. Thus both James and Peter carried equally a very great figure in their Apoſtolical Orb; yet Divine Providence permits the former to be murdered, but Peter only to be impriſoned, and yet not to periſh there by a perpetual Impriſonment, but to be Releaſed from Priſon by an holy Angel. Though we may not pry into the Ark of God, becauſe it is prohibited, nor ask God a Reaſon of his Actings, when he is not bound to give any account of his matters, Job 33.13. yet thus far it is Recorded in Scripture, N.B. That this Son of Zebede, James, did beg a principality in Chriſt's Imaginary Temporal Kingdom upon Earth, and that moſt unſeaſonably, when Chriſt had been by a preceding Parable of the Vineyard, teaching them Humility; and that they who are fi…ſt, may be laſt, &c. Matth. 19.30. and 20.16. To dream at this time of an earthly Kingdom, and therein a diſtribution of Honours, and Offices, as in David's and Solomon' days, was an unfit motion to be made as a Requeſt when Chriſt was going to ſuffers: Therefore Chriſt rebukes him (with his Brother) Mark 10.35. to 39. that this ſhould be his priority, to have the firſt draught of the bitter Cup of Martyrdom here mentioned: Whereas among the many faults in Peter (of whom more are Recorded than of any one Apoſtle excepting Judas) we do not find him preſſing for priority at any time, though the Church of Rome do gratuitouſly give it him.
The ſeventh Remark is; God over-rules the Perſecutors of his People, and makes even themſelves to ſerve his own glorious Ends in the preſervation of thoſe his Servants whom he determines to ſave; as here the Lord made uſe of Herod's Hypocriſie for the preſervation of Peter. 'Tis ſaid here [Herod took Peter, and caſt him into Priſon, intending after the Paſſover to bring him forth as a Sacrifice to the People] Acts 12.3.4. This Feſtival Solemnity laſted eight days. Herod did not out-right Behead Peter with the Sword, as he had done James, but makes a pauſe during the Paſſover-days, which Feaſt ſuch a wretch could not ſolemnize out of Conſcience and true Devotion, but out of Hypocriſie only; and it may be he might fear ſome Tumult among the people in ſo great a Concourſe there from all quarters of the Countrey, therefore did he defer Peter's death till that time was over. In the mean time, as the Church had all this time to tugg hard with God by their prayers for Peter; ſo God himſelf was at work alſo, and in this Interſpace ſends his Angel to Releaſe Peter from Priſon, and from Herod alſo.
Secondly; From the Concomitants we have theſe famous Remarks; As,
Firſt; Concerning Peter's Confinement: The Enemies of God, and bis People, make the ſureſt work they can with the Lord's Servants, when the Lord permits them to become their Priſoners: So they did to the Lord himſelf, when they apprehended him, the word was then of Judas [Hold him faſt] Matth. 26.48. and afterward when they had Crucified and Buried him. As they in his Paſſion did nail him faſt to the Croſs, that he might not ſtir either hand or foot; ſo in his Burial, they Rolled a great Stone upon the mouth or door of his Grave, made the Sepulchre ſure, ſealing the Stone, and ſetting a Watch to guard it, Matth 27.60, 66. Here was all imaginable care to prevent a Cheat in the caſe, ſuppoſe he had been a Deceiver, as they call'd him, verſe 63. Ob quantum inane! how vain were the minds of thoſe men, as if the ſame power which was neceſſary to raiſe and quicken the Dead, could not alſo with much leſs difficulty remove the Stone, break ope the Seal, and break through the Watch which they had ſet? As all this was done to this green Tree (Peter's Lord and Maſter) ſo the like is done to this Dry Tree, his Servant; for Peter was not only committed to a ſtrong Priſon, but there muſt alſo be no fewer than ſixteen Souldiers to keep him there, four of which took their turns the four Watches of the night, to relieve one another; two whereof were always preſent with the Priſoner, and (for greater ſecurity) were bound with the ſame Chain to him, the other two always ſtood at the Door, or Gate. N.B. All this probably was done to this Priſoner Peter, becauſe they not only had heard of the many Miracles he did, but alſo how he had been delivered out of Priſon by an Angel, Acts 5.19. yet all this exceſs of care and caution for ſecuring the Priſoner, became (as after) a foil to illuſtrate the glory of God's Miracle.
The ſecond Remark is; When God's people are plunged into deep perplexities, their only help they hope and expect muſt come in the way of prayer: Therefore do the Church here pray for Peter, verſe 5. looking upon his ſuffering to be theirs, and remembring the Apoſtle now in bonds, as if they had been bound with him, Heb. 13.3. Prayer was their laſt Refuge, and proved the beſt. Luther ſaith, [preces & lachrymae ſunt Chriſtianorum Inſtrument a bellicoſiſſima] Prayers and Tears are the Chriſtian's moſt prevalent Weapons: Here was more prevalency in the Church's Prayer, than was in four Quaternions of Souldiers, or in the ſtrong Walls, and in the Iron-Gate of that Priſon. The paſſage for prayer to aſcend up to Heaven was ſtill open, and Herod with his whole Army could not block up that way, though he had locked up Peter faſt in his Priſon: And the Church here prayed for Peter with all the ſtrength of their Souls, with all the fervency of their Spirits, and that without intermiſſion (as foreign ſignifies) that they plainly ſtormed Heaven, Matth. 11.12. Thoſe violent ones took it by force, and prevailed for Peter's Releaſe, beleieving (it ſeems) God would hear them according to his promiſe, Pſal. 50.15. Matth. 18.19. &c.
The third Remark is; When God's Servants are aſleep, and in their greateſt extremity can act nothing for their own eaſe or egreſs out of miſery, even then their God is awake and acting effectually in order to their deliverance. N.B. Thus it was here; for (1.) Peter was now come to his very laſt night, Herod reſolved his Execution the next morning, ſo that Peter was now upon the Pit's brink; the Tyrant never deſigned to betruſt him with another night, but to change the next day into his long night of death, the greedy Wolf had been too long (all the eight long Paſſover days) detained from worrying this Lamb of Chriſt, he therefore long'd for the next morning, that he might glut himſelf with Peter's blood, the blood of James having only ſet Herod's mouth on watering for more. Here was Peter in the utmoſt extremity of danger, &c. N.B. Yet (2.) Peter was not broke of his ſleep, notwithſtanding his eminent and imminent, yea almoſt incumbent danger and death: [He was ſleeping, &c.] verſe 6. Having rolled himſelf upon God, and caſt his Life into his everlaſting Arms, reſigning his will up wholly into his Redeemer's will, reſolving, that if he might no longer live Chriſt's Servant, with all willingneſs he will die his Sacrifice: Thus David laid himſelf down too, and took ſweet ſleep in peace, becauſe the Lord alone made him to reſt in ſafety, Pſal. 3.5. and 4.8. Innocency only hath this advantagious bleſſing, and a good Conſcience can ſo acquieſce in the providence of God, as to fear no evil while God is our Friend; and if God be for us, 'tis no matter who is againſt us, Rom 8.31. N.B. (3.) Peter's caſe was ſad, and as ſafe a Priſoner (in all probability) as all Humane Wiſdom and Power could well make him, ſeeing Peter was not only in a ſtrong Priſon (not eaſily broken) but alſo his Right, hand was chained to one Souldier's Left, and his Left hand to another Souldiers Right, ſo that he could not run away out of Priſon, but he muſt hale two Souldiers after him at his heels, &c. Theſe Circumſtances of ſuch a ſure manner of ſecuring this Priſoner, did declare Herod's bloody Intentions againſt, poor Peter (who was now both Helpleſs and Hopeleſs in himſelf) and it ſhews alſo the Almighty Power of God, who was not unconcerned for his ſuffering Servant, but now beſtirs himſelf to effect his deliverance, notwithſtanding all thoſe wily and wicked ways to keep him in ſafe cuſtody. N.B. Oh happy Priſoners, who have God with them in Priſon (as he was with Joſeph, &c.) and acting for them as for Peter here! Theſe are Priſoners of Hope indeed, as Zech. 9.12.
Hence followeth the fourth Remark; The more dangers and difficulties God's Servants are dowſed in, and perplexed by the moſt peſtilent perſecuting powers, the more God's Wiſdom and Power, yea, and the Truth it ſelf (which Perſecutors labour to ſuppreſs) are eminently illuſtrated by their deliverance: This is moſt conſpicuous in the caſe of Chriſt Crucified. The curſed Jews were doubtleſs very jealous that the words which Chriſt ſpake while he was alive [that he would Riſe again the third day] had more truth in them than they were willing to believe, beſides their pretended fear, that his Diſciples would ſteal him away by night, and ſay, he was Riſen. (Though this was improbable enough that a few timerous Diſciples ſhould be ſo daring as to affront the ſettled Government in ſo inſolent a manner.) Hereupon they petition Pilate to command that the Sepulchre be made ſure, Matth. 27.64. Pilate commands not Strangers (who might do it careleſly) but themſelves the Cavillers to do it, verſe 65. They make all as ſure as poſſibly they could deviſe, to prevent Christ's Reſurrection, verſe 66. Now all theſe wicked wiles and contradicting endeavours, did not only yield the greater luſtre to the miraculous Power of a dead and buried Redeemer, which he exerted both in Removing the great Grave-ſtone, and breaking through the ſtrong Guard when he Raiſed himſelf from the Dead; but alſo hereby inſtead of preventing Christ's Reſurrection, thoſe exceſſive endeavours (to ſtifle the truth of his Reſurrection) did more exceedingly confirm both the truth and belief of it throughout the World. N.B. And accordingly it was in this caſe of Peter; all thoſe Deviliſh Devices which Herod uſed to ſecure Peter in Priſon, ſerved only the more to ſet off the glory of God's Power, in delivering the Priſoner in deſpite of all his Chains and Guards. Thus God catcheth the wickedly wiſe (ſo skilful to deſtroy, Ezek. 21.31.) in the way of their own craftineſs, Job 5.12, 13. 1 Cor. 3.19. turning their wicked wit into folly: No Device, againſt any whom God will ſave, can avail.
The fifth Remark floweth from hence, which is this; 'Tis the experience of all Ages, that the Wonder-working God works moſt wonderful Deliverances for his greatly distreſſed Servants. As in Peter's caſe here, no man could better than Peter declare that [The Lord knoweth how to deliver the righteous] as he doth and Records it, 2 Pet. 2.9. for he was wonderfully delivered here out of Herod's hands by a wonder-working God: Therefore might experimentally ſay [The Lord knoweth, &c.] that is, his infinite Wiſdom is never at a loſs, but knows all the ways of deliverance; he hath ways of his own, and commonly goeth a way by himſelf, ſuch as we little think of, for God's thoughts are not as ours, Iſa. 55.8, 9. Helping them that are forſaken of their hopes: And as the Lord knows what way he will take, ſo hath he a willing heart, and a good will to do it: In this ſenſe the word [know] is uſed, Eccleſ. 4.10. and Amos 3.10. If we take a proſpect of Peter's Inlargement or Deliverance in the ſeveral circumſtances of it, 'tis exceeding wonderful.
N.B. As 1. The Time of God's working Peter's Inlargement, was the night-time (yea the very night before his deſigned day of Execution) it was a night to be remembred, like that wherein God delivered his Iſrael out of Egypt, for both were brought to the utmoſt extremity. Though this night was dark in it ſelf, yet had Peter a Light ſhining in the Priſon (which, no doubt, was dark enough in the day) verſe 7. Light is pleaſant in any place, much more in Priſon, which could not but be a ſweet counter-comfort to Peter in a dark Priſon: Though 'tis not told us from whence this Light came, yet muſt it turn Peter's Priſon into a Palace, if rightly improved; oh happy Priſoners who hath Light ſhining out of Darkneſs, Pſal. 112.4, &c.
N.B. 2. The Means whereby, it was wrought by an Angel, whoſe Office is to miniſter unto Heirs of Salvation, Heb. 1.14. Moſt willingly officiating for their good, according to God's will. Gabriel came flying to Daniel with great ſwiftneſs, even unto a wearineſs, Dan. 9.21. ſtanding in the preſence of God, Luke 1.19. as ready preſt to run his Errands, and thinks not he can make too much haſte therein, ſo deſirous is he to bring ſpeedy comfort to a diſtreſſed Soul. God and his Angels can find out his hidden ones, Pſal. 83.3. in what corner of the Countrey ſoever they be; nay, if they be in a dark Dungeon, as Peter here, the Angel of the Lord came upon him (as he did upon the Shepherds, Luke 2.9. thinking no ſuch thing, but minding their buſineſs) at unawares [while he was faſt aſleep] and probably in a glorious appearance (as in Luke 2.9.) So this Light might come from the glorious and bright Body which this Angel had aſſumed: However, it was a Light only to Peter (to whom alone he was ſent) but Darkneſs to his Keepers; as the Pillar of Fire inlightened only the Iſraelites, this made them both the more marvelous and miraculous.
N.B. 3. The Manner how, what this Angel both ſaid and did in order to it. He joggs Peter on the ſide to awake him out of ſleep, which ſhews the merciful providence of our God over us when ſleep hath locked up all our ſenſes, and we fear no danger, even then the Lord is our Keeper, and provideth for our ſafety, as for Peter here; would to God, the Angel of the Covenant would awake us out of our ſleep now when the wiſe Virgins as well as the fooliſh are ſlumbring, &c. The Angel bids Peter [Ariſe quickly, gird thy ſelf, &c.] verſe 7, 8. God will have him to uſe thoſe means, even then when he was about to work Miracles for him: How much more it is a tempting of God to neglect means where we cannot expect Miracles. Oh happy Peter! though the Devil had caſt him into Priſon, Rev. 2.10. yet an Angel leads him the way out, whom he might follow with great joy, &c. Yet ſuch was the ſuddenneſs and greatneſs of the Miracle (the Chains immediately falling off from his hands, inſenſibly to his two Keepers, both which he left faſt chained, as if they had been the Priſoners, and he the Keeper gone out at liberty upon buſineſs) that it amazed him, and ſeemed incredible to him, even when he felt himſelf free of the Chains, and was following this Freeing Angel foot by foot out of Priſon. [He thought it was only done in a Viſion] v. 9, 10. N.B. Thus when God turns again the Captivity of Sion, they ſhall be like thoſe that dream, Pſal. 126.1. God brings his People to the utmoſt extremity, that he might more eminently appear in the Mount [Jehovah-Jireh] Gen. 22.14. that his Salvation may be the more aſtoniſhing, as it was to Peter here, who, while all this was in doing, and he going along with the Angel, was as a man in a Trance, or Dream, as it were out of himſelf, and came not to himſelf until the Angel left him, verſe 11. leaving him at liberty to go to his own company.
The ſixth Remark is; All Created Beings muſt obey the will and word of their commanding Creator, and nothing can hold what God will have looſed: As the Lord had commanded Peter's Chains to fall off from both his hands, verſe 7. We read not, that this Angel uſed any Hammer to break them, or any Inſtrument to file or knock them off; but it was done by the Almighty Power of God, who (as in the Creation) did but ſpeak the word and it was done: So when Peter (by the conduct of this Angel) had paſſed the Sentinels at the Door, the Court of Guards, &c. and was come to the Iron-Gate, (which led into the City) it opened to them of his own accord, verſe 10. foreign, It moved it ſelf, non alieno impulſu, aut humano labore, no humane help to pull back the Bolts, and to turn the Key for unlocking the Door, but all was done by the Omnipotent power of God, which was preſent with the Angel: Thus the ſame Greek word is uſed, Levit. 25.5, 11. and 2 Kings 19.29. Mark 4.28. which yet are all the products of Divine Providence, that in an ordinary, but this in an extraordinary manner, not natural but miraculous every thing loſes its force, when God ſuſpends or withdraws his concurrence as the Fire didin the Fiery Furnace, Dan. 3.72. & this Iron Gate here, v. ….
The ſeventh Remark is; Hence may we learn our daily and hourly dependency upon Divine Conduct, and conveyance from all our dangers ſucceſſively met withal in the Wilderneſs of this evil Would: Thus here the Angel of the Lord conducts Peter thro' the firſt Watch; there was one danger over (beſides that of unchaining him from his two Keepers within the Priſon) then through the ſecond Guard (where was the ſtrongeſt Watch of the Main Guard) there was another danger over. Still there was another new and worſe difficulty, namely, how to paſs on into the City, ſeeing there was an Iron Gate (within which both the other Guards kept their Watch) ſhut up faſt againſt him, and had he been taken up here, his eſcaping the firſt and ſecond Watch (as well as his having his Chains looſed, and being packed out of the Priſon-houſe) had all ſignified nothing; had they caught him at this Iron Gate, he would have been not only remanded to Priſon, but alſo double Irons had been clapt upon him: Therefore the Angel conveys him through this difficulty and danger, as he had done through the other, and leaves him not until he put him into a capacity to ſhift for himſelf without his help. N.B. This may convince us what need we have continually of the protection of Angels (whom God hath charged to keep us in all our ways, Pſal. 91.11.) we cannot want them, while we want deliverance, and want not dangers which ſucceed one another, as here, and till thoſe Nurſes return us home to our Father's houſe, and to the liberty of God's Children; till then, what a ſeries of Miracles God works for us at fit times and places, as for Peter here, all which he could have wrought at once for him.
The eighth Remark is; Oh how great is the force and prevalency of fervent and joyntfaithful prayer! The Chriſtians in this time of Perſecution, had their Meetings ſecretly, and in ſmall numbers: Yea, at this time managed by private perſons, probably, in prayer only. N.B. Becauſe it appears by verſe 17. that James, &c. were not preſent where many were gathered together praying, verſe 12. Now here, while theſe devout Souls were even in the very act of calling upon God for Peter's Releaſe, God anſwers their deſires (according to his promiſe, Iſa. 65.24.) by giving in Peter Releaſed, and Returned to them at their prayers. N.B. We may well wonder how Peter was directed to this very houſe where they were thus praying together for him: For when the Angel was departed from him (having done his whole work God had commanded him) verſe 10. So leaving Peter now to ſhift for himſelf, as he might well enough now do, it being in the night, Peter joggs on the Street, and though at firſt he was aſtoniſh'd that God had really releaſed him out of the mouth of the Lion Herod, and of ſuch people (as had heard of Herod's purpoſe) that longed to behold his Execution; yet ſo ſoon as he could compoſe himſelf, he conſidered (even as he went along in the open Streets) both the greatneſs of his own danger he had been in, and the goodneſs of God in delivering him from it. N.B. No place can exclude good thoughts, and holy meditations, were our hearts more ſpiritual. He conſidered alſo what place to go unto for his own ſafety, and which houſe was the nigheſt where he might be moſt welcome, and to John Mark's Mother's houſe (where this Meeting was) the Lord directed him, verſe 11, 12. N.B. But his knocking at the door at that time of night, affrighted them, fearing it might be ſome Purſuivant to apprehend them for an unlawful Meeting: Hereupon they defer opening to Peter, who was loth to be deferr'd (not only from a deſire to ſee the Brethren, whom he might meet there, but alſo out of fear of being taken again, his life lying at ſtake upon it. Peter is admitted as an anſwer to their prayers, which broke the Priſon for him. Prayer made Sun and Moon ſtand ſtill, Joſh. 10.12, 13. opened and ſhut Heaven for Rain, James 5.17.
The third and laſt Conſiderable, is, the Conſequences of all; wherein we have three famous Remarks.
The firſt is, The wonderful concealment of Peter (after he was thus miraculouſly freed from his Impriſonment) out of Herod's bloody Hands, and the hands of his Blood-Hounds, who, after all this, hunted this Apoſtle from houſe to houſe, verſe 19. as the Prophet David was hunted by bloody Saul, as one hunteth a Partridge upon the Mountains, 1 Sam. 26.20. N.B. When the Miracles extraordinary ceaſe, then the Means that are ordinary muſt be applied and improved. The conduct of the Angel was now gone, Peter muſt betake himſelf to his prudentials, which he accordingly doth. (1.) In beckoning to thoſe praying Souls, not to be too loud in their rejoycings (for his being Releaſed out of Priſon, and Returned now at their prayers) leſt any at that time that paſſed by, or any in the Neighbouring-houſe ſhould take notice of the Brethren's ſudden Voice of Joy, and thereby Peter be farther purſued, and the houſe it ſelf (for entertaining him) together with the taking of all that company be indangered, verſe 17. (2.) When Peter had given God the glory of his Deliverance to them (tho' an Angel was the Inſtrument therein) and had requeſted them to tell James and the Brethren (who were met in another place upon the ſame account. N.B. For they were forced to divide into ſeveral Companies, leſt multitudes together ſhould diſcover the Meeting) away he goes to abſcond (leſt that houſe ſhould be ſearched for the many met in it) in a more obſcure place. (3.) God bleſſed Peter's prudentials here, for, though ſtrict ſearch was made for him, verſe 18, 19. Herod's Blood-Thirſtineſs would prompt him to the more ſevere ſcrutiny: And matter of life would prompt the Keepers thereunto; for, beſide the ordinary danger of letting Priſoners eſcape, this they knew would be aggravated by Herod's Tyranny; and therefore is it ſaid [As ſoon as it was day, there was no ſmall ſtir among the Souldiers what was become of Peter] verſe 18. namely, N.B. Thoſe Souldiers who were bound with Peter in the ſame Chain (as before) as ſoon as they were awake, could not but miſs him, finding the Chains ſtill holding them faſt, though looſed from Peter, they might then ſuſpect (according to vulgar Errour) that Peter was bewitched out of their hands, or metamorphoſed into ſome ſtrange Creature or Ghoſt by Magick Art, and ſo ſlipp'd from them. N.B. What Influence this fond conceit might have upon theſe men to make them more remiſs in their ſearchings for Peter, I know not, however, it was with Peter as it had been with Jeremy and Baruch, who did not fall into the hands of their bloody-minded Adverſaries, [becauſe the Lord hid them] Jer. 36.26. whereas the King had burnt the Roll, ſo he would have Martyr'd both thoſe men, but God directed them to ſuch a place of Receſs, as the King's Meſſengers could not find them, nor underſtand where they were, till his paſſion was over; and thus the Lord hid Peter here. N.B. Verſe 19. This inraged Herod ſo, that having loſt his prize Peter, he found his Keepers, whom he ſentenced to be led away to Execution for this ſuppoſed fault only, of their letting Peter eſcape: This was juſt in God (who many times meets with Inſtruments of Perſecution, even in this World, and ſometimes by the Perſecutors themſelves, as here) but it was notoriouſly unjuſt in Herod, who put to death thoſe Innocent Souldiers who could not help what was done.
The ſecond Remark is; God's Vengeance falling down upon the head of this bloody Herod, the Actual Murderer of James the Elder, and the Intentional Murderer of Peter alſo, had not God made a miraculous Reſcue: The occaſion was this, Herod deſigned to wage War againſt thoſe two Rich Cities, Tyre and Sidon, which therefore might poſſibly be inſolent, or however, might tempt this proud Tyrant to war againſt them, not for their Religion (for we read of little as yet therein) but for their Riches; thinking that his Conqueſt of them would well enough countervail all his charges in ſuch a War. But both thoſe Cities (fearing the uncertain Event of War) by the Mediation of Blaſtus (Herod's Lord High Chamberlain) made their peace with him, and begg'd his pardon before the War was commenced. This Truckling of theſe two potent Maritim Cities, puffed up Herod's haughty heart; hereupon he makes a ſtarched Oration (ſuppoſed on his own Birth-day, &c.) being arrayed in a Cloak made of the Cloth of Silver, which being beaten upon by the Sun-Beams, did plainly dazle all the Spectator's and Auditor's Eyes. This gave an opportunity to his Paraſitical Courtiers to applaud him above meaſure, and, like baſe Sycophants, to ſay [He ſpake with the Voice of God, and not of a Man.] Hereupon Herod being Tickled, and not rebuking thoſe flatterers, nor giving glory to God, who is jealous thereof, Iſa. 42.8. he commands his Angel to deſtroy him (who had delivered Peter, that durſt not own any Divine Glory, Acts 10.26.) by ſmiting him with the Lowzy Diſeaſe wherein he died (as his Grandfather before him) to teach him that he was but a Mortal Man, ſubject to Vermine. N.B. This teacheth, (1.) That Flatterers (Courtiers here prompting the People to flatter Herod thus impiouſly) do take the ready way to deſtroy the perſons ſo blaſphemouſly flatter'd; for the great God will by no means admit of any Corrivals. (2.) No man is flatter'd by another, who hath not firſt flatter'd himſelf, as Herod had done, when he made his vain-glorious Speech to Tyre and Sidon's Commiſſioners. N.B. Joſephus ſaith, that at his death he complained much of the People's vanity in Deifying him, but not at all of his own Autotheiſm in Deifying himſelf with his Self-admiration. And (3.) God picks out ſuch fit ſeaſons to avenge himſelf of his Enemies, at that time when it may be moſt for his own glory, and their confuſion. Herod periſhed in his higheſt honour, which was an Anſwer alſo to the Church's prayer, v. 20, 21, 22, 23, &c.
The third and laſt Remark is; The new Peace of the Church, when they had prayed down Herod dead, verſe 24. But the Word of God grew and multiplied: Where N.B. The Goſpel is compared to Seed, as our Saviour doth in his Parable, Matth. 13.19. It was ſtill ſafely and ſucceſsfully Preached, and received in Faith by many honeſt and good hearts. The number of Believers were multiplied by the Word; the Ground or Soil which is moſt harrowed, is made thereby the moſt fruitful: The good fruit of Faith and Obedience, did by every ſhower of Perſecution (falling upon the Church) the more abound, as Acts 19.20. and Col. 1.6. The Church is alway invincible [the Gates of Hell cannot prevail againſt it] Matth. 16.18. Truth may for a while be oppreſſed, but it can never be utterly, totally and finally, to all intents and purpoſes ſuppreſſed. N.B. Camomile, the more ye tread it, the more ye ſpread it: And the Palm-tree's Poſie is [Nec premor, nec perimor] the more weight ye lay upon it to keep it down, the higher and faſter it groweth up. The Church in Egyptian-Bondage never increaſed ſo much, as when Pharaoh laboured moſt to keep it under from growing: The more he moleſted them, the more he multiplied them, Exod. 1.12. So true it is, that Perſecutors, by pulling down the Church, build it the more, &c.