Lord Burghley and Episcopacy, 1577-1603

by Mr Brett Usher

2016 · Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.

Lord Burghley and Episcopacy, 1577-1603 examines the selection and promotion of bishops within the shifting sands of ecclesiastical politics at the Elizabethan court, drawing on the copious correspondence of leading politicians and clerical candidates as well as the Exchequer records of the financial arrangements accompanying each appointment. Beginning in 1577, the book picks up the narrative where Brett Usher’s previous book (William Cecil and Episcopacy, 1559-1577) left off, following the fall of Archbishop Grindal, which brought the Elizabethan church to the brink of disaster. The book begins with an outline of the period under review, challenging the traditional view of corruption and decline. Instead Usher provides a more complex picture, emphasizing the importance of court rivalries over patronage and place, and a broadly more benign attitude from the Exchequer, which distinguishes the period from the first half of the reign. Within this milieu the book situates the dominance of the Cecils - father and son - in ecclesiastical affairs as the key continuity between the two halves of Elizabeth’s reign. Providing a fresh analysis of the Burghley’s long and influential role within Elizabethan government, Usher both illuminates court politics and the workings of the Exchequer, as well as the practical operation of Elizabeth’s supremacy. Specifically he demonstrates how Elizabeth learnt a valuable lesson from the debacle over the fall of Grindal, and from the late 1570s, rather than taking the lead, customarily she looked to her councillors and courtiers to come to some accommodation with each other before she would authorize appointments and promotions. Note: Brett Usher died in 2013 before the publication of this book. Final editing of the typescript was undertaken by Professor Kenneth Fincham of the University of Kent, who also guided the book through the publication process.

A Brief Outline of Things to Come

by Theodore H. Epp, M. R. DeHaan, C. I. Scofield, William L. Pettingill, H. A. Ironside, Keith L. Brooks, Norman H. Capm

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts" (II Peter 1:19). PROPHECY is given by GOD to foretell future events. Throughout the Scriptures, written over a period of 1600 years, the HOLY SPIRIT has revealed one co-ordinative plan of the future. JESUS told His disciples that one of the reasons for prophesying was that when an event which He had foretold occurred, they would believe that He was the SON of GOD. Peter further enlightens us by telling us that prophecy is "a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts" (II Peter 1:19). Often prophetic subjects have become the theme of speculation. In speculating men have gone far beyond the purpose of prophetic Scriptures. I believe that the most helpful way to study prophecy is outlined for us in Revelation 1:3: "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." Three distinct steps are mentioned: first, read; second, give heed; third, remember. Nothing is said about speculating or prophesying. This book is by no means an exhaustive study of the great prophetic subjects. Rather, it presents a brief outline of things to come. It should serve as a light in a dark place for those who believe and as a definite warning to those who have thus far rejected CHRIST as SAVIOUR. It should move the Christian to take action for His LORD and should move the unsaved to accept CHRIST as their SAVIOUR. "Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light" (Romans 13:11, 12). - Theodore H. Epp