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, Apostolic Christianity, Medieval Christianity, Swiss Reformation and Creeds of Christendom. Westminster Larger Catechism, 151. For Psalm 14, Prof. Calvin notes that David inveighs against those “giants who mock at the faithful for their simplicity.” To wit, per President O’Snootyrama AKA O’Bummer, those irredeemable deplorables and Walmart shoppers who “cling to God and their guns.” Such simpletons. In contrast, David “derides and defies the insolent of the wicked.” Or, with David, we kneel, aim and shoot—taking theological cranium shots, not shots at the ankles. For Joshua 14, Joshua continues his discussion with Caleb about land-issues. For Isaiah 3.9-15, Prof. Henry talks about the hardened hearts against repentance, declarations of their sins like the Sodomites proud trumpetings, and the impetuous, imperious and impatient heads and hearts that “could not blush” (Jer.3.13; 4.15)/ For Mathew 3.1-12, Prof. Jamiesson comments on JB’s line about the religious leaders coming to avoid the “wrath to come.” For Revelation 8, Prof. Henry talks about the third angel with a trumpet and stars hitting the earth like an F-18 laying in ordnance on target. A political star falling? Ecclesiastical star falling? A literal star dropped out of the heavens? For Bibliology, Prof. Reymond outlines Professor J.O. Buswell’s embrace of the empirical arguments for God’s existence, also tangentially commenting on Acquinas’s arguments from the Summa and Contra Gentiles. For Soteriology, Prof. Berkhof long-talks (and has over-talked) the psychology of religion vis a vis conversion. Thank you, Professor, but let’s wrap it up. For Apostolic Christianity, Prof. Schaff outlines the Messianic Promises that are present in the Adamic, Abrahamic, Mosaic and Prophetic periods, proceeding with hope and promise and with a growing specificity and clarity. For Medieval Christianity, Prof. Schaff speaks of the beneficent, salutary, and pacific work of the Benedictines as they advanced into France in the days of Clovis and his progeny. For the Swiss Reformation, Prof. Schaff notes that by the 1530s, the Swiss Reformation was well underway in the leading cities and cantons of Zurich, Bern, and For the Creeds of Christendom, Prof. Schaff finished the discussion of the Monophysites. Tonight, finally, we turn to the Pope-huggers. Westminster Larger Catechism, 151. Q. 151. What are those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others? A. Sins receive their aggravations, 1. From the persons offending; if they be of riper age, greater experience or grace, eminent for profession, gifts, place, office, guides to others, and whose example is likely to be followed by others. 2. From the parties offended: if immediately against God, his attributes, and worship; against Christ, and his grace; the Holy Spirit, his witness, and workings; against superiors, men of eminency, and such as we stand especially related and engaged unto; against any of the saints, particularly weak brethren, the souls of them, or any other, and the common good of all or many. 3. From the nature and quality of the offence: if it be against the express letter of the law, break many commandments, contain in it many sins: if not only conceived in the heart, but breaks forth in words and actions, scandalize others, and admit of no reparation: if against means, mercies, judgments, light of nature, conviction of conscience, public or private admonition, censures of the church, civil punishments; and our prayers, purposes, promises, vows, covenants, and engagements to God or men: if done deliberately, willfully, presumptuously, impudently, boastingly, maliciously, frequently, obstinately, with delight, continuance, or relapsing after repentance. 4. From circumstances of time, and place: if on the Lord's day, or other times of divine worship; or immediately before or after these, or other helps to prevent or remedy such miscarriages: if in public, or in the presence of others, who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled.