Ralph Erskine

“ Are you for a match that can pay all your debt to law and justice, that can supply all your wants, that can heal all your diseases, that can bear all your burdens, sanctify all your crosses, sweeten all your afflictions, subdue all your enemies, manage all your concerns, and make you happy for ever? Then come and match with the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne: a greater offer cannot be made to you than this most glorious King, upon the most glorious throne. ”

“ Have respect to thy Holiness, that shines in the holy Oath of Jehovah, by which it is confirmed, and the holy Obedience of Jesus, by which it is fulfilled; so that, as by the sinful disobedience of one, many were made sinners, by the holy obedience of another glorious One, many are made righteous. Have respect to thy Justice, that shines in the blood of the Covenant, the sacrifice by which Justice hath condign and infinate satisfaction. Have respect to thy Mercy and Grace, that reigns through that righteousness to eternal life. ”

“ The poor wrestling man is a prince, and the poor wrestling woman a princess, in God's sight: this is the honour of all the saints. They have power with God, and therefore no wonder that they have 'power over the nations, to rule them with a rod of iron:' they judge and torment them that dwell upon the earth, even here; and 'know you not, that hereafter the saints shall judge the world?' God hath a respect to you, and he will shew it in due time, because he hath a respect to the covenant, and hath filled your heart with respect to it also. ”

“ He is the centre of all saving offices: being, as a Prophet, the wisdom of God, for our illumination; as a Priest, the righteousness of God, for our justification; and, as a King, the power of God, for our sanctification. ”

“ They have an everlasting respect to the grace of the Covenant of grace: they are adorers and admirers of free grace. They have an everlasting respect to, and remembrance of the words of the Covenant, particularly these words that have been let in with any life and power upon their souls, or that they have been caused to hope upon; whatever they forget, they can never forget such a word that brought life to their souls; "I will never forget thy words," says David, for by them thou hast quickened me." ”

“ Have respect to the power that shines in the efficacy of the covenant, not only for over-powering principalities and powers, but overcoming thyself, and the power of thine own wrath, by the power of thy love. ”

“ It is called a Covenant of peace and reconciliation because it both treats of Peace with God, and makes it good. It is called a Covenant of promise, because it lies in promises with reference to us, and these to be accomplished on the condition already fulfilled in Christ's obedience and satisfaction, and because therein the faithfulness of God is pledged, for making out all the promises to believers, and the children of promise. It is called a Covenant, of salt, because it is an incorruptible word, an everlasting Covenant, well ordered in all things and sure. ”

“ Woe to you if you remain in this case; for the day is coming, wherein God will, before all the world, shew no mere respect to you, than to say to you, "Depart from me, ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels!" ”

“ If we would deal with God for mercy, or plead with him for favour, or look to him for any good at this occasion, let us expect it only upon this ground, the respect he hath to the Covenant, and plead upon his argument. ”