Evening Prayer (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, Apostolic Christianity, Medieval Christianity, Swiss Reformation and Creeds of Christendom. Westminster Larger Catechism, 127-128. For Psalm 14.1, Prof. Calvin notes and it’s no overstatement: “…for there is no stupidity more brutish than forgetfulness of God…” For Joshua 13, Prof. Keil describes the allocation to the 2 and one half tribes east of the Jordan. For Isaiah 3, Prof. Henry notes a telling set of questions: what happens to leaders, generals, military men and other civil leaders when they are taken away, are dispirited and take leave of the scene? For Mathew 2.13-25, Prof. Jamiesson continued the story by a brief on the son of Herod the Great who, for cause, is exiled to Vienna for misrule, returning Palestine to Roman rule. For Revelation 8, Prof. Henry begins to set the stage for the “seven trumpets” as Christ continues to break and execute the contents and decrees of the Book that only He can handle. Game on and Christ rules! For Bibliology, Prof. Reymond does a teeth-smasher on modern cosmologists, some of whose books sound like a college freshman’s paper in terms of philosophy and logic. For Soteriology, Prof. Berkhof beautifully describes the Hebrew and Greek terms for “conversion.” That’ll preach all day its fullness and semantic width. For Apostolic Christianity, Prof. Schaff starts the story of Christ by going back to Adam, the fall, Israel and heathenism. For Medieval Christianity, Prof. Schaff begins to describe the Culdees. For the Swiss Reformation, Prof. Schaff finishes the story of the highly influential Italian Reformer, a deposed Roman Bishop, Vergerius noting his influence on Zanchius (1509-1590), that learned, Reformed and Augustinian teacher. For the Creeds of Christendom, Prof. Schaff continues to tell the story of the Russian Orthodox Church. Westminster Larger Catechism, 127-128 Q. 127. What is the honor that inferiors owe to their superiors? A. The honor which inferiors owe to their superiors is, all due reverence in heart, word, and behavior; prayer and thanksgiving for them; imitation of their virtues and graces; willing obedience to their lawful commands and counsels; due submission to their corrections; fidelity to, defense, and maintenance of their persons and authority, according to their several ranks, and the nature of their places; bearing with their infirmities, and covering them in love, that so they may be an honor to them and to their government. Q. 128. What are the sins of inferiors against their superiors? A. The sins of inferiors against their superiors are, all neglect of the duties required toward them; envying at, contempt of, and rebellion against their persons and places, in their lawful counsels, commands, and corrections; cursing, mocking, and all such refractory and scandalous carriage, as proves a shame and dishonor to them and their government.