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Ralph Erskine
Ralph Erskine (1685–1752) was a Scottish preacher and evangelical minister whose dynamic ministry and writings significantly shaped the 18th-century Scottish church, particularly within the Secession movement. Born on March 18, 1685, in Monilaws, Northumberland, England, he was the sixth son of Henry Erskine, a Presbyterian minister, and Margaret Halcro, both of whom were exiled Covenanters who moved to England after Henry’s ejection from ministry in 1662. Raised in a devout family, Ralph studied at the University of Edinburgh, earning an MA in 1704, and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Dunfermline in 1709. In 1717, he married Margaret Dewar, with whom he had ten children, though only four survived him; she died in 1739, and he remarried Margaret Simson in 1741. Erskine’s preaching career began with his ordination in 1711 as assistant minister at Dunfermline, Fife, where he served alongside his elder brother Ebenezer until 1737. Known for his fervent, gospel-centered sermons, he drew large crowds with his poetic preaching style, often delivered outdoors during Scotland’s evangelical awakenings, including the Cambuslang Revival of 1742. In 1737, he joined Ebenezer in forming the Associate Presbytery, seceding from the Church of Scotland over issues of patronage and spiritual independence, and became minister of the Queen Street congregation in Dunfermline until his death. A prolific writer, he penned over 400 sermons, published as Sermons and Other Practical Works, and composed evangelical poetry and hymns like “Faith’s Plea Upon God’s Word and Covenant.” Erskine died on November 6, 1752, in Dunfermline, leaving a legacy as a preacher whose eloquence and commitment to free grace theology invigorated Scottish Presbyterianism and influenced revivalist movements. He was buried in Dunfermline Abbey Churchyard.
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Ralph Erskine preaches on the significance of God's name in salvation, emphasizing how God's mercy and goodness are displayed for the sake of His name. Believers are encouraged to praise God for His attributes and to seek His intervention in every aspect of their lives based on His different names that correspond to their needs, such as Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace. The sermon underscores the assurance that God will fulfill His promises and provide for His people according to His name, urging believers to trust in His name for their salvation and every necessity.
Improve God's Name
"Nevertheless, he saved them for his name's sake."—Psalm 106:8. We tender our exhortation to believers, in particular, who have run to this strong tower of salvation, the name of the Lord. O admire his goodness, admire his name. He knows all your sins against him, and against his name; yet for his name's sake, he shows mercy. O! let sin against so good a God be abhorred: let his goodness lead you to repentance more and more: "The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord." O believer, are you called by his name; praise him for his mercy, truth, faithfulness: "According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth; thy right hand is full of righteousness," Psal. 18:10. O sirs, ascribe all the mercy you met with to his name; and study to be meet objects for God's name, to be more and more glorified, upon his engaging his name for your help. Study to become such persons as the scriptures require: for though sinners have a ground of hope, that he MAY do, for his name's sake; yet saints have a ground of hope that he WILL do for his name's sake: the graceless may run to him with hope, that he may begin the good work, for his name's sake; but the gracious may run to him with hope that he will perfect the good work for his name's sake. His name is engaged. In a word, O improve his name in every case; for he hath a name suiting every want, every need. Do you need wonders to be wrought for you? His name is Wonderful; look to him so to do, for his name's sake. Do you need counsel and direction? His name is the Counsellor: cast yourself on him and his name for this. Have you mighty enemies to debate with? His name is the mighty God; seek that he may exert his power for his name's sake. Do you need his fatherly pity? His name is the everlasting Father; "As a Father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." Plead his pity, for his name's sake. Do you need peace external, internal, or eternal? His name is the Prince of Peace; seek, for his name's sake, that he may create peace. Do you need healing? O sirs, his name is JEHOVAH-ROPHI, the Lord the healer and physician; seek, for his name's sake, that he may heal all your diseases. Do you need pardon? His name is JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU, the Lord our righteousness; seek, for his name's sake, that he may be merciful to your unrighteousness. Do you need defence and protection? His name is JEHOVAH-NISSI, the Lord your banner. Seek for his name's sake, that his banner of love and grace may be spread over you. Do you need provision in extreme want? His name is JEHOVAH-JIREH, in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen, the Lord will provide. Do you need his presence? His name is JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH, the Lord is there: IMMANUEL, God with us: look to him to be with you, for his name's sake. Do you need audience of prayer? His name is the Hearer of prayer. Do you need strength? His name is the Strength of Israel. Do you need comfort? His name is the Consolation of Israel. Do you need shelter? His name is the city of refuge. Have you nothing and need all? His name is All in All. Sit down and devise names to your wants and needs, and you will find he hath a name suitable thereunto; for your supply, he hath wisdom to guide you; and power to keep you; mercy to pity you; truth to shield you; holiness to sanctify you; righteousness to justify you; grace to adorn you; and glory to crown you. Trust in his name, who saves for his name's sake.
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Ralph Erskine (1685–1752) was a Scottish preacher and evangelical minister whose dynamic ministry and writings significantly shaped the 18th-century Scottish church, particularly within the Secession movement. Born on March 18, 1685, in Monilaws, Northumberland, England, he was the sixth son of Henry Erskine, a Presbyterian minister, and Margaret Halcro, both of whom were exiled Covenanters who moved to England after Henry’s ejection from ministry in 1662. Raised in a devout family, Ralph studied at the University of Edinburgh, earning an MA in 1704, and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Dunfermline in 1709. In 1717, he married Margaret Dewar, with whom he had ten children, though only four survived him; she died in 1739, and he remarried Margaret Simson in 1741. Erskine’s preaching career began with his ordination in 1711 as assistant minister at Dunfermline, Fife, where he served alongside his elder brother Ebenezer until 1737. Known for his fervent, gospel-centered sermons, he drew large crowds with his poetic preaching style, often delivered outdoors during Scotland’s evangelical awakenings, including the Cambuslang Revival of 1742. In 1737, he joined Ebenezer in forming the Associate Presbytery, seceding from the Church of Scotland over issues of patronage and spiritual independence, and became minister of the Queen Street congregation in Dunfermline until his death. A prolific writer, he penned over 400 sermons, published as Sermons and Other Practical Works, and composed evangelical poetry and hymns like “Faith’s Plea Upon God’s Word and Covenant.” Erskine died on November 6, 1752, in Dunfermline, leaving a legacy as a preacher whose eloquence and commitment to free grace theology invigorated Scottish Presbyterianism and influenced revivalist movements. He was buried in Dunfermline Abbey Churchyard.