Ralph Erskine (Christ the People's Covenant), Sermons 1:161-162:
Hence see, if Christ be the covenant of the people by God’s ordination, why the believer is to take the law only out of the hand of a Mediator; and yet it is not without law to God, when he is under the law to Christ. He is not to view it in the first covenant-form, in the hand of an absolute God, but only in Christ, and as it is cast into a new covenant-form: and the original authority of the law is not here dissolved, nor obligation to obedience diminished, but rather strengthened and sweetened; in regard that this authority does now run only in this sweet and blessed channel, by the Father’s ordination. Yea, the Creator’s authority and sovereignty is in Christ, and the whole fulness of the Godhead, and by the voice of God the Father from the excellent glory, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased: hear ye him.” We are so much obliged by the Father’s appointment to obey him, and take the law only out of his hand, that if we do it not we condemn the authority of the Father, and run cross to this divine ordination.
Hence see, if Christ be the covenant of the people by God’s ordination, why the believer is to take the law only out of the hand of a Mediator; and yet it is not without law to God, when he is under the law to Christ. He is not to view it in the first covenant-form, in the hand of an absolute God, but only in Christ, and as it is cast into a new covenant-form: and the original authority of the law is not here dissolved, nor obligation to obedience diminished, but rather strengthened and sweetened; in regard that this authority does now run only in this sweet and blessed channel, by the Father’s ordination. Yea, the Creator’s authority and sovereignty is in Christ, and the whole fulness of the Godhead, and by the voice of God the Father from the excellent glory, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased: hear ye him.” We are so much obliged by the Father’s appointment to obey him, and take the law only out of his hand, that if we do it not we condemn the authority of the Father, and run cross to this divine ordination.
