“When we see salvation whole, its every single part is found in Christ, and so we must beware lest we derive the smallest drop from somewhere else. For if we seek salvation, the very name of Jesus teaches us that He possesses it. If other Spirit-given gifts are sought— in His anointing they are found; strength—in His reign; and purity—in His conception; and tenderness—expressed in His nativity, in which in all respects like us He was, that He might learn to feel our pain:
Redemption when we seek it, is in His passion found; acquittal—in His condemnation lies; and freedom from the curse—in His own cross is given. If satisfaction for our sins we seek—we’ll find it in His sacrifice; and cleansing in His blood. If reconciliation now we need, for this He entered Hades. To overcome our sins we need to know that in His tomb they’re laid. Then newness of our life—His resurrection brings and immortality as well comes also with that gift. And if we also long to find inheritance in heaven’s reign, His entry there secures it now with our protection, safety, too, and blessings that abound —all flowing from His royal throne.
The sum of all is this: For those who seek this treasure-trove of blessings of all kinds, in no one else can they be found than Him, for all are given in Christ alone.”
—John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, John T. McNeill, Ed. Library of Christian Classics (Nashville: Westminster John Knox, 1960), Vol. I, Book 2, Chapter XVI, Section 19, p. 527. As quoted in Sinclair B. Ferguson, In Christ Alone: Living the Gospel Centered Life (Orlando: Reformation Trust, 2007), pp. 7-8.
The original source for the above quote is found in Calvin’s Institutes, Vol. I, Book 2, Chapter XVI, section 19, which, in the edition edited by John McNeill, is Vol. I, page 527.
What a glorious quote about Christ!
Thank you for the citation Tom! I really appreciate it.
–Nick