Easter Even: "our Saviour's death, burial, and descent into hell"

Wheatly, in his A Rational Illustration of the Book of Common Prayer, describes how the ceremonies of the Easter Vigil - "solemn watchings, with multitudes of lighted torches" - have been replaced by the Prayer Book provision for Easter Even:

Since they are only indifferent (though innocent) ceremonies, the Church of England hath laid them aside: but for the exercise of the devotion of her true sons, she retains as much of the primitive discipline as she can; advising us to fast in private, and calling us together in public to meditate upon our Saviour's death, burial, and descent into hell: which article of faith the public service of the Church this day confirms, the Gospel treating of Christ's body lying in the grave, the Epistle of his soul's descent into hell.