Peter Released from Prison

I

Fervent persevering prayers
  Are faith’s assured resource;
Brazen gates and iron bars
  In vain withstand their force:
Peter, when in prison cast,
Though by soldiers kept with care,
Though the doors were bolted fast,
  Was soon released by prayer.

II

While he slept, an angel came,
  And spread a light around,
Touch’d and call’d him by his name,
  And raised him from the ground:
All his chains and fetters burst,
Every door wide open flew;
Peter thought he dream’d at first,
  But found the vision true.

III

Thus the Lord can make a way
  To bring his saints relief;
’Tis their part to wait and pray
  In spite of unbelief:
He can break through walls of stone,
Sink the mountain to a plain;
They to whom his name is known
  Can never pray in vain.

IV

Thus in chains of guilt and sin,
  Poor sinners sleeping lie;
No alarm is felt within,
  Although condemn’d to die,
Till, descending from above,
(Mercy smiling in his eyes,)
Jesus, with a voice of love,
  Awakes, and bids them rise.

V

Glad the summons they obey,
  And liberty desire:
Straight their fetters melt away
  Like wax before the fire:
By the word of Him who died,
Guilty pris’ners to release,
Every door flies open wide,
  And they depart in peace.