Morning Prayer and the Litany (1662 Book of Common Prayer)

LECTIONS. John Calvin on the Psalms. Keil & Delitzsch: Joshua. Matthew Henry: Isaiah. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown: Gospels. Matthew Henry: Revelation. Dr. Robert Reymond: Systematic Theology. Prof. Berkhof, Systematic Theology: Soteriology. Dr. Philip Schaff, Medieval Christianity and Swiss Reformation. Dr. Philip Schaff: Creeds. Westminster Shorter Catechism, 21-30. Prof. Calvin rounds off Psalm 8 with nothing that is notable. We press forward to Psalm 9, something that will cause the ancient and modern Marcionites to moan, squeak and squalk. God is a Judge? How mean is that the Marcionite Cub Scouts ask while sniffling in the playpen! Prof. Keil explores the grief Joshua and the elders have at the handy discomfiture before a pitifully small city like Ai. Jericho the great fell, but they've been pistol-whipped by this tiny town of perhaps 3000 soldiers. It's a route. What happened? Prof. Henry discusses Philadelphia in Rev.3.7-13. This church get a clean bill of health as the Redeemer tours this parish (as He does all parishes). Yet, there is a label of "spiritual health warning." Overcome. Stay in the game. Keep pressing forward. Prof. Jamiesson sets up the tent to sit back and ponder the life and work of Justin Martyr. Notably, he is claiming that if the Gospels were swept away, the Martyr's writings alone could suffice to give a summary of the main points of Christ's life. We've heard that said previously, but in reference to the totality of writings of the apostolic and sub-apostolic period. To wit, the NT itself could be reconstituted from the extra-canonical Churchmen. The Prof. is loudly ringing the church bells for the Four Gospels, enlivening the reader to their intrinsic, life-giving vigor and value. Prof. Henry in his prefatory tour to Isaiah continues his exquisite summary on the work, purpose and duties for the school of the prophets (seminaries, academic centers, etc., in God's service). God's Kingdom is staffed by scholars and is constituted on "The Book." It's an excellent run-up for his future comments on the Major Prophets--those edgy, fearless, learned men being "borne and carried along" by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1.19-21). The Prof. outlines the contrasts between the insane, mind-compromised, predatory enthusiasts and God's true prophets. Prof. Reymond rings the bell on the formation and closure of the Canon. Prof. Berkhof imputes anthropocentricity to the Lutherans on the ordo salutus vis a vis justification. Concur. Prof. Schaff shows Zwingli's view of the Sovereign Canon as the rule of faith and doctrine. Prof. Schaff outlines the Romanist, Greek and, what he calls, "Evangelical Protestant" Confessions.