Morning 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, 51-60. Prof. Keil in Joshua 6 lingers on the attendant points to the march around Jericho: the Ark of the LORD (or Covenant, used variously) and the trump blasts. The first is briefly elaborated. Jehovah was central and sitting between the Cherubim of the Ark. Taking Jericho was His conquest, the strongest city of Canaan. This gift of His Presence and conquering presence, was of grace and was a spur to get on with the rest of the conquest. Secondly, the trumpet blasts. Trumpets were used for varied festivals (cf. Leviticus 23, etc.) in announcing the LORD's presence and as a summons to varied religious duties. The trumpets blasted at Sinai, to the same end. We would add that trumpets appear in Revelation and will be explained later. "Attention getters." Prof. Henry rounded off with some closing observations on the church at Thyatira. One lingering impression on our part that must "be done and not left undone" (BCP language): as practicable, appropriate and as opportunity affords, never fail to censure a false theologian or pulpit personage uttering false, defamatory theology. This will be a challenge for an Episcopalian by Sunday AMs. Failure to do this makes one complicit in the defamation. This is under prayerful review. Strategic and tactic considerations. Prof. Reymond discusses hermeneutic principles that are inexorably linked to the previously discussed doctrine of Scripture. The grammatico-historical principle, Scriptura Scripturae interpres, and analogia fide obtains including the unity of the Canon, granting progressiveness of God speaking variously throughout history. Prof. Schaff describes Bullinger, a few other Swiss Reformers, and a Romanist's view of the Anabaptists. To wit, while they differed from them theologically, these commentators appreciated Anabaptist piety (Muntzer excepted), their amiablity, peaceability, humility and more. Further, they were forerunner in German hymnody with sentiments that were commendable. Even Luther unwittingly included a Swiss German hymn into a hymnal in 1545, we are told. The WSC gives the basics on commandments 1-4.