THE LOVE OF CHRIST, by Richard Sibbes

A Brief Book Summary from Books At a Glance 

by Steve West

 

The Love of Christ is a series of sermons on Song of Solomon 4:16-6:3, preached by the Puritan Richard Sibbes (1577-1635).

 

Summary

 

Sermon 1 – Song of Solomon 4:16-5:1

Song of Solomon contains, “the mutual joys and mutual praises betwixt Christ and his church.” This song shows us the inferiority of earthly things and raises our affections to the things of God. We must not focus on the picture itself, but rather see the person being portrayed by it. The church as a whole, and every believer as an individual, is the bride of Christ. Song of Solomon shows cycles of close affection, cooling off of the same, and the reviving of ardor as the church finds itself perfectly loved by Christ. It is by the Spirit (i.e., the “north and south wind”) that Christ awakens the love of his bride (i.e., he commands the wind to blow upon his garden, which is his church). The church is compared to a garden because it is only the gardener’s care that makes it different from other spaces; it is cultivated intentionally, and the plants do not grow naturally. Only what is good is planted, and it requires careful weeding and attention. We need grace in order for good things to grow in us, and we need grace to bring them out.

Christ is the church’s beloved, and the church invites him to come and enjoy the grace that he has given her. Knowing Christ, the Spirit, and grace, the church longs for Christ to draw ever-closer, and she longs for Christ to enjoy the fruit of his garden which he cultivates for her good and for his enjoyment. When the heart is in a state of grace and holiness, it can be boldly reverent in inviting Christ in. As a wife’s duty is to please her husband, so the church’s duty is to please Christ (and this duty is a delight!). Let us renew the covenant and seek forgiveness for our sins so that only what is delightful to Christ remains. There is a beautiful, mutual love that exists between Christ and the church. Even though he has all the glories of heaven, Christ works to make us good, and he delights in our goodness. Christ sees us as his elect bride given to him by the Father, and he responds to the invitation of the Spirit within us. He will not hear our prayers, however, if we harbor sin in our hearts. Nevertheless, the disposition of Christ is to come near to his children when they desire his presence. Nothing besides Christ can satisfy the believer. . . .

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