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VIII.

CHRISTIAN INTERCESSION.

'Peter, therefore, was kept in prison, but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.'--Acts, xii. 5.

THE long and severe conflict, which is so often referred to in the Acts of the Apostles, between the Church of Christ and the open opposition of the world had now begun. According to the prophecy contained in the second Psalm, 'The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers took counsel together against the Lord and against his anointed.' It often appeared to be an easy matter for those kings and rulers to effect their purpose. Upon their part, there were all the resources, and all the power which

the world could supply; on the other hand, the Christians, who were assailed, were frequently poor and humble, and of little account amongst men. They were unable of themselves to resist their persecutors; yet they possessed a bond of union most real, although unseen, with the Son of God, as the Living Head of His Body, the Church. They were therefore counted worthy of high honour in the Court of Heaven, while they had also access to the resources of Almighty power and infinite wisdom.

An interesting illustration of this truth was given at that early period in the Church's history, which is thus described by St. Luke: 'Now about that time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church; and he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also.' He put him in prison and delivered him to sixteen soldiers to keep him, 'in

tending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.' But in the meanwhile, the power of Christian intercession was being exerted in behalf of that Apostle, who had been greatly blessed and honoured as a master builder in the Church of Christ, and who was regarded by many Christians in Jerusalem as their spiritual father. 'Prayer was made without ceasing,' or earnestly, ' of the church unto God for him.'

We can conceive how king Herod and the unbelieving in his day would ridicule this resource of united prayer. If this was all that the Christians could do, they made sure of their prisoner. They could point to the iron gates of the prison, its massive walls, and its watchful guards,—were not these enough to make the escape or rescue of Peter impossible? But faith, in its boldness, could look far higher than these merely outward hindrances. 'What,' these Christians might ask, 'were the sixteen soldiers who guarded the Apostle, what

were even all the armies of Herod, when compared with the legions of angels who encamp around the people of God to deliver them ?' They could recall many answers to prayer recorded in the Old Testament Scriptures, such as those given to the prayers of Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, and others. They also knew it is the privilege of Christians to believe that they have a still stronger claim to the aid and defence of Almighty Power, than could be pleaded by the faithful suppliant before the coming of the Saviour. They could intercede with greater confidence for the release and life of the Apostle, as their petitions were now presented before the Throne in the Name of Christ, and enforced by the arguments which only His atonement and mediation can supply. And they did not trust in vain. The answer then given to their united prayers may have been different from any which has been granted since

the days of the Apostles; yet it was not the less upon this account very precious as a testimony to the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father, while it is also instructive in other respects. The Lord sent an angel to deliver His servant, and behold a light shined in the prison.' The gates, and walls, and guards could not prevent the entrance of this messenger from heaven. He came in so silently that neither the Apostle nor his guards awoke from their sleep. Then 'he smote Peter on the side, saying, Arise up quickly, and his chains fell off from his hands.' The angel added, 'Gird thyself, put on thy sandals, cast thy garment about thee and follow me.' As Peter arose and followed him, 'he wist not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision.'

The whole scene, as thus described, appears to present a beautiful, yet true, picture of the way in which Christians are enabled

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