mercy grace wisedome power and shall not these prevaile Prayers set God on worke and all in God his wisedome his power his Angels and what then can hinder Looke backward Vse 1 and call to minde your sinne this day see many a Peter hath beene in prison and prayers were not made by the Church many a member sicke and prayers were not made by the Elders yea many a Church distressed Bohemia afflicted the Palatinate and Valtoline distressed yet we did not pray the enemy could curse but wee did not pray and therefore how iustly might God distresse and leaue vs destitute of his helpe and the Churches prayers 2. Looke forward and preserue and improue this your interest in God let no Peter no Preacher no Christian no neighbour lie in the chaines by you whether in the chaines of sicknesse or povertie or debt or paine or sinne or temptation but doe you repriue him you haue a key that will open any locke a medicine that will heale any wound a weapon that will prevaile in any place draw this weapon vse this medicine if men be sicke pray them whole if poore pray them rich if sad pray them merry But is this so easily done yes verily by the whole Church as it is for the outward estate when one is very poore it is hard for two or three to set him vp againe but nothing for a thousand and when one is in a pit it is much for one but not for many to pull him out see here it is long of vs that men lie so long vnder their burdens would wee ioyntly commend them to God our prayers would take mens chaines would off Ob. true spirituall chaines Why if so were it not worth the while Ans what may wee ease our brethren of temptations of passions of lusts and will wee not But for outward crosses saith not Saint Iames let the prayers of the Church heale the sicke saith not the story the prayers of the Church procured Peters liberty But say they bee not alwayes delivered Ob. yet it is good to get the crosses mitigated sanctified Ans sweetned and something will be done if wee pray doe this then or nothing perhaps you will excuse other negligences you would visit your sicke neighbour but you question his disease your welcome you would relieue your poore neighbours but you haue it not why there is no Christian man but hee hath an interest in God a spirit of prayer lift vp a prayer for thy brethren if thou canst doe nothing else and this will doe thee and him good prayer in this case for others is a cleerer evidence of grace then for our selues Heere is comfort and encouragement comfort for our selues if members of the Church if wee bleede with her if we pray for her if wee say If I forget thee O Ierusalem then let my right hand forget her cunning the comfort is great wee haue that which Saint Paul thirsted for the prayers of the Church and this is a priviledge worth ten worlds and a comfort beyond all apprehension when a man lookes round about him and can say there is a towne I haue some prayers there there is another I haue stocke going there nay in every shire euery nation some that bee enlarged when I am barren some quickened when I am dull and I am an adventurer in the Churches shippe I haue a stocke in her treasure and an interest in her prayers this keepes the head aboue water and preserues from sinking 4. For encouragement to pray for the Church would Gods people enter into a holy league and tye themselues in their severall closets to spend so much time weekely or dayly in prayer for some particular person or place Church or Nation I wonder how they should misse tell mee where ever the Churches ioynt prayers did ever mis-carry or proue abortiue in what place in what case for what people prayers haue beene made for men out of the Church and haue sped witnesse Ninivie for men in the Church good men bad men and haue sped prayers haue beene made by Land and haue prevailed on the Seas by Ianah and haue sped they haue prevailed vnder the earth in dens and dungeons and caues prayers haue been made for sicke men and haue holpe them for dying men for poore men for captiues for prisoners and haue holpen for men against persecution against temptation against sorrow against beasts against men against divels prayers haue beene omnipotent heretofore why not now Ob. Why now Ob. if we were as others Gods hand wee knowe is not shortened his eare not heavie but our sinnes our crying ripe sinnes hinder good things from vs Ans Why therefore set against those sinnes by prayer cast out your owne cry downe other mens Ans out-cry them Ob. Oh but they cry loud Ob. Ans Yet prayer hath the stronger voyce Ans the blood of Christ speakes better things then bloody sins c. Let Sodome yeeld ten holy men Gen. 18. Iames 5. Amos 7.1.2 and shee shall bee spared let one Elijah stand vp for stiffe-necked Israell and one Amos plead for rebellious Iudah and God will shew mercy Ob. True indeed if we had such as they Ob. but our prayers are weake and faint Ans 1. They were men subiect to like passions Ans 2. The prayer of the righteous is prevailing Iam. 5.16.17 3. These here mentioned were new converts yet prevailed with God for Peter Ob. Oh but here the whole Church ioyned Ob. if all Israel might meete from Dan to Beersheba there might be some hope Ans We may and doe more then these might Ans 1. we may meet in publique assemblies euery Sabbath 2. these were but few that lived in the darke and met in the night and in Hesters time in their severall families and the whole State was then against the truth and against the Scriptures and all religion was disgraced yet then they prevailed much more we now Ob. But now it is too late Ob. many Churches abroad be quite scattered many men at home haue their backs and hearts quite broken with wants temptations discouragements Ans Whilest God cals in his word Ans it is not too late God is vsed to see men sinking before he sets in their extremitie is his opportunitie when Peter is within one night of the sword then is his time Ob. Ob. But I haue waited and see no successe Answ Ans So did the Church they pray for Peter this weeke the next and the next the doores be still shut the chaines be still on well now they haue but one night more to waite Gen. 22. they waite that but ere morning all is wonne If then we haue but one day one night one houre to spend hope pray waite that day that night that houre God will be seene in the mount deliverance shall come if prayer goe on the errand it ever was so ever shall be so dispute not but beleeue there is who prayes and speakes not
and a light shined in the prison and hee smote Peter on the side and raised him vp saying Arise vp quickly And his chaines fell off from his hands c. HERE is a storie of Peters 1. Imprisonment 2. Enlargement With the cause of the one and meanes of the other Herod hauing vexed some slaine a second now commits the third and all this to gratifie the Iewes Peter thus committed is bailed by the Church or rather remooved and freed by petition they pray heartily for him in the 5. verse and they speed as happily whilest they are praying God giues in the prisoner amongst them The manner of his delivery is here reported and that was very strange beyond Herods purpose the prisoners expectation the Keepers meaning all mens hopes Herod held his purpose he had begun and the next morning he meant an end of him Peter had made his conclusion to morrow thinkes he for messages past betweene him and the Church which spent this night in Prayer for him and therefore knew the danger I must be put to it therefore I will strengthen my selfe to night The Keepers stood vpon their guard and resolved that no Peter should passe them yet is Peter delivered and how I pray you God remoues all impediments for nothing was in readinesse First for man entrance was there none therefore God sends an Angell and there was no stop against him Next in the darke it was hard to find which was which God directs an Angell to him and hee comes vpon him and misses not the man though bound to the same chaine with two others as in strict imprisonments they vsed to doe Thirdly they were in the darke and that was ill for noyse The Angell brings his darke lanthorne with him and shines to Peter and none else Fourthly the prisoner can doe little for himselfe he is asleepe the Angell wakes him he is laid the Angell raises him he is amazed the Angell directs him he is bound the Angell vnties him hee knowes not where he is the Angell guides him hee is to passe through sundry difficulties the Angell conducts him through them all and so dismisses him Wee will vse no more words about a plaine Storie but acquaint you with our meditations they containe the successe of the Churches prayers they prayed for Peter the Angell thereupon is sent to Peter where see 1. How the Angell findes him 2. How the Angell delivers him For the first he findes him sleeping in the midst of feares and foes From whence was this sleepe was it worldly sorrow that caused it or was it carnall securitie Answ In doubtfull things charitie supposes the best so should we worldly sorrow causes sleepe but how when it is not extreame and that sleepe is ioyned with starting carnall securitie will cause sleepe but why should we charge Peter with that at this time his sleepe came from a better cause he was at peace with God he had the Churches prayers for him the cause for him his conscience for him God and his Angels for him he could die but once and for one death hee was prepared hence his boldnes before Chapters 4. and 5. hence his confidence here he resolued with Dauid I will lay me downe and sleepe and withall God gaue rest to his beloued as it is in the Psalmes rest more then ordinary to his minde to his body hence the Angell can hardly awake him and being awaked he is not terrified as a guiltie person would haue beene in this case doe then but consider 1. The man 2. His behaviour in like cases 3. The time and circumstances 4. The exercises of the Church for him 5. The messenger and message sent to him 6. The manner of his behaviour when he is awaked and you will see that his sleepe grew not from distemper but from strength of faith and comfort Now to the Points Where first from the order Doct. 1 see the power of ioynt prayers they beare downe all before them and prevaile in heaven and earth as the Word that comes from heaven prospers in the thing wherevnto it is sent Esay 55. so the word that goes to heaven the prayers of the Church sirike vp to God there they lie at his gates and never will away without their errand and when they are answered then they come downe with authoritie and raigne over all impediments below witnesse this Story Peter is committed the persecuters are resolute the foes many the friends few meanes none but God to God the Church goes the enemies plotte the Church prayes they shut the prison doores the Church opens heavens doores so ther 's old tugging for the prisoner but the Church winnes him God to let them see what prayers bee sends him to them while they are praying there saith God if you will rake no deniall there he is thereby pointing vs to the meanes of his deliverance we need not many words for proofe of this Iames saith The prayer of one righteous man prevailes much Iames 5. if of one what of twentie what of an hundred and he instances in Elijah Hee alone could open and shut heaven then well may many open and shut prisons on earth nay adde further the ioynt prayers of vnbeleevers and hypocrites haue done much when heathenish Niniuie fasted and prayed God heard Jonah 3. when false Rehoboam humbled himselfe and his people 2 Chron. 12. God was intreated how much more shall the faithfull prayers of the Church prevaile prevaile I say both for the preventing and removing evils and obtaining and keeping of good things What shall we instance the life of Asa Iehosaphat Hezekiah when was it otherwise when did the Church of God euer ioyne in a common petition to God but they sped no instance to the contrary No marvell Reas 1 this exercise is well grounded and warranted it hath the warrant of a Precept Iames 5. 1. Pray for one another call vpon me 2. The warrant of a promise Psal 50. I will deliuer thee 3. The warrant of experience never any yet vsed it but they prevailed Prayers are presents very welcome to God Reas 2 he prefers them to all sacrifices being immediate worships of his Maiestie Let me heare thy voyce it is pleasant No father loues the voyce of his children like as God loues the voyce of his Church Cant. 2.14 T is his musicke and perfume Rev. 5.8 3. The parties are very deare who tender them Reas 3 God loues his Church aboue all creatures he gaue his Sonne for her and therefore her sutes shall haue acceptance Let me see thy face its comely Cant. 2.14 Esther never pleased Ahasuerosh so well as the Church pleaseth Christ 4. The parties from and through whom they are presented Reas 4 please They are indited and abbetted by the holy Ghost Rom. 8. Rom. 8. tendred by Christ Iesus and shall these be denyed adde to this 5. The party to whom they are directed to God who is all truth
fit and to quicken make these vses of delayes and then if thy sute be not honest never begin it if it be never leaue it learne of husband men when they pull downe a tree or list at some blocke if they cannot stirre it they call in helpe if it come not at the first pull they pull againe if not then ha againe if not then ha once more at last they feele it comming and then it comes amaine learne of Elijah 1 Kin. 18.43 hee prayed for raine having prayed lookes about him nothing comes he prayed againe nothing comes hee prayed againe nothing comes at length O Master saith his servant I see a cloud but it is but little Is it a cloud then once more to it and by and by the heavens were masked with cloudes learne of these men Peter stickes in the dungeon one lifts he cannot stirre him try you saith he to a second to a third try a fourth a fist at length heaven stirres the chaines stirre and Peter comes in amongst them learne of Christ himselfe the widdow dealt with a Iudge not a Father Luke 18. a bad Iudge shee was alone a simple Orator yet she prevailes learne of beggers they haue no command no promise no acquaintance no Art and yet will stand it out the master chides the begger stands it out the dame chides he stands still the servants come and say they dare not serue him the children say we must not and yet he will not away O Lord helpe our faith how weake be we if having precept promise kindred Gods servants Gods Sonne on our sides we will be put off with a delay well as I said so long as a night an houre a minute is left pray one night may compasse that which an hundred before could not It followeth An Angell c. The Lord hath ever meanes at hand for his servants Doct. 4 comfort and deliverance if set on worke well might Peter say 2 Pet. 2. The Lord knoweth how to deliuer his c. He is never at a stand if they know how to pray he knoweth how to comfort In himselfe he is al-sufficient Reas 1 infinite in wisedome to invent meanes in power to act them and if need be Esa 4.5 to create more 2. He is the Lord of Hoasts the Lord of every creature if our worke lie in the Seas he is Lord of the Seas if on the Land he is Lord there if in Prison he beareth the keyes of every Gaole if heavens can helpe vs he commands them if winds if beafts if friends if strangers if foes if Angels the Lord hath the command of all persons things and places For comfort Vse 1 roule thy selfe vpon God cast thy care vpon him he will bring it to passe is thy burden povertie Psal 37. cast it vpon him and he will helpe it is it sinne feare sorrow whatsoever it be he can beare it and discharge thee Oh but I see no meanes This Sermon was made in the depth of the dearth I owe so much so many in my familie and no meanes This is as if they should haue said If we had a friend in the Court to moue Herod if a friend in the Watch to bribe him if in the prison to see him then something might be done but now all meanes faile vs. No no God hath meanes beyond our sight if men cannot doe it Angels can and shall and if no man will pay the Widdowes debt God will if no body else will feede Eliah 2 King 4. the Ravens shall what doe wee talke of meanes all meanes are shut vp in God Ob. O but my case is desperate Ob. it is not possible to helpe me Ans Now we shall haue a tale of impossibilities Ans And why not possible shall any thing be impossible to God Ob. O but there be an hundred blockes in my way Ob. Ans But what is in his way Ans that makes his way through the seas stones wood iron c Esa 43.16 goe to the prison there is a blocke a guard passe that guard there is a blocke a doore passe the doore there is another a chaine passe the chaine there is another an iron gate O but what of this if they can breake through all hinderances of vnbeliefe discouragements to prayer God will breake thorow these and a thousand more to their comfort O but God workes no wonders now Marke our Saviours callection from Manna to bread Mat. 4. Deut. 8.3 Esa 9.6 No his Name is wonderfull still his power as great as ever his wisedome as deepe as ever his promises as good his loue as much to his as ever our need as much our interest as good our Saviour as good all things stand as before if wee can vse former meanes we shall finde former successe and God will doe abundantly aboue all that we can speake or thinke wee haue the Lords promise for this Ephesians 3.20 and Esay 42.16 I will make darke light and crookednesse straight wee haue had our owne experience let any man that hath had any acquaintance with God and this holy dutie tell me when prayers were not succes-full when didst thou ever speake to thy heavenly Father but he did answere thee with some ease some comfort When didst thou ever pray but thy heart was thereby somewhat lightened and if thou canst not but say with David Psal 139.3 in the same day I asked I was thus far answered That my heart was strengthened Ps 139.3 doe not faile to conclude with David Though I walke in the midst of troubles yet vpon prayer I shall be revived 7. and God will perfect his mercies in me for ever 8. Thus wee haue dispatcht some meditations more we haue but they must be onely named as 1. Herod would but could not bring forth Peter to tryall and execution men be but men and must doe as they may for what they would doe against the Church nor they nor all the Divells in hell can doe 2. The Lord can giue sleepe and peace in any place at any time in any company 3. Gods best servants and messengers are sometimes yoaked with vilest offenders c. 4. Gods best creatures are the Churches servants Angels 5. Lastly the Lord can quickly shake his out of their chaines rags feares fetters c. But what doe I meane thus to exceede Brethren I would faine haue you more thirstie of your time doe you not waste it as others doe in idle impertinencies much lesse in surveying States and Kingdomes It is not for vs to sit vpon Crownes and thrones and to turne Statesmen it is for vs to be thankefull where God blesses and to be prayerfull when the Church labours to this end I haue sayd thus much to perswade you to the practice of what you know now your turne follows le ts see what will be done and how well you will improue time in speaking to God rather then to or of men ⸪ FINIS