Evening Prayer (1662 Book of Common Prayer)

LECTIONS. John Calvin on the Psalms. Keil & Delitzsch on Joshua. Matthew Henry on Revelation. Dr. Robert Reymond on Systematic Theology. Dr. Philip Schaff on the Swiss Reformation, namely, Ulrich Zwingli. Westminster Shorter Catechism, 81-90. Prof. Calvin connects Psalm 5.9 to Romans 3.13 and universal depravity. Psalm 5.9: "For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is very wickedness; Their throat is an open sepulchre; They flatter with their tongue." Can a polite, old-laced, high-buttoned, and well-heeled Episcopalian in well-cut suits digest this? Or, is there a gentlemans' agreement to avoid hard doctrines by euphemisms and other distractions? Just give me music, some liturgy, and nice architecture and we can dismiss the doctrinal details and sturdy Protestant truths based in God's Word and good grammar. Prof. Keil does the workup in Joshua 4.1ff. on the river-crossing of the Israelites. Prof. Matthew Henry deals with Revelation 2.1-9, the message to the Ephesians. Jesus Christ notes their faith, diligence, patience, abhorrence of the Nicolaitans (which Jesus hates), BUT, they've lost their "first love." They are exhorted to repentance by the Risen Redeemer. Without it, Ephesus is going down. Robert Reymond deals with 1 Thessalonian 2.13. Prof. Reymond sticks to "God and grammar." No wiggling off from the words and grammar. Good stuff, as usual. Prof. Schaff discusses the second disputation in Zurich in the same year, but the second being in Oct 1523. 950 attend. 350 are clergy. Varied cantons declined to send delegates, but some did. One canton claimed they had no "learned men" in their midst, just "pious priests" who adhered to their Romishness. The Bishops are stirred afresh. Zwingli and Dr. Vadian hold the day. The snoozing dogs and pompous poohbahs in England are in charge.