James Killed, Peter Imprisoned

1About that time, king Herod Agrippa began to persecute some of the church. 2he caus'd James the brother of John to be beheaded. 3and perceiving that the Jews were pleas'd with this, he proceeded to secure Peter during the feast of unleavened bread: 4having apprehended Peter, he put him into prison, appointing a detachment of sixteen soldiers to guard him, intending to have him brought to publick execution, after Easter.

The Rescue of Peter

5thus Peter was kept in prison, but the Church prayed to God, without ceasing, for him,

6now the very night preceding the day which Herod design'd for his execution, Peter bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while the other guards secured the prison door; when an angel of 7the Lord suddenly appear'd and fill'd the room with light, and touching Peter on the side, awak'd him, saying, rise, be quick, and immediately his chains fell from his hands. 8put on your girdle, continu'd the angel, and bind on your sandals: which he did, throw your cloak over you, said the angel, and follow me. 9so he went out after the angel without knowing that what the angel had done, was real; but thinking it was all a vision. 10when they had pass'd the first and second guard, they came to the iron-gate that leads to the city, which open'd to them of itself: so they went out and pass'd together thro' one street: when all of a sudden the angel quitted Peter. Then coming to himself; now, 11said he, I know for certain, that the Lord has sent his angel, and has deliver'd me from the hands of Herod, and from what the Jews were in expectation of. 12then recollecting where he was, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, surnam'd Mark, where many were assembled at prayers. 13when he had knock'd at the door of the gate, a servant named Rhoda came to ask who was there. 14upon hearing Peter tell his name, instead of opening the gate, she ran, out of joy, to tell them, that Peter was there. 15are you mad? said they, but she persisting that it was even so, they reply'd, it is then his angel. 16as Peter still continued knocking, they let him in, and seeing it was he, they were extremely surpriz'd: 17but he made a sign to them with his hand, to be silent: and related to them, how the Lord had brought him out of the prison, go, said he, and acquaint James and the other brethren with this affair, after which he departed and went to another place.

18As soon as it was day, the soldiers were in a world of confusion to know what was become of Peter. 19Herod having caus'd diligent search to be made, without being able to find him, after examining the guards, he order'd them to execution, after which he departed from Judea, and went to Cesarea, where he resided.

The Death of Herod

20Herod was then making warlike preparations against the Tyrians, and Sidonians: but they unanimously sent a deputation to court: where having gain'd Blastus the king's chamberlain, they brought matters to an accommodation: for their country was subsisted by the king's territorys. 21one court-day, Herod array'd in his robes of state, and seated upon the throne, made a publick oration: 22at which the people gave a shout, saying, it is the voice of a God, and not of a man. 23but at the instant an angel of the Lord smote him, because he did not glorify God: so that he became a prey to worms and died. In the mean time, the

24word of God made continual progress, and after Barnabas

25and Saul had executed their commission, they return'd to Jerusalem, and took with them John who was surnam'd Mark.