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The Love of Christ
The Puritan John Dod wrote that this book is so full of heavenly treasure, and such lively expressions of the invaluable riches of the love of Christ that it kindles in the heart all
heavenly affections unto Jesus Christ . Indeed it does! And that was very much what Richard Sibbes
(1577-1635) was about in all his ministry.
The Love of Christ is a series of sermons preached on Song of Solomon 4:16-6:3. For Sibbes,
this Bible book is nothing else but a plain demonstration and setting forth of the love of Christ to his church, and of the love of the church to Christ . The Song of Solomon does not simply mouth a doctrine: its sensuous imagery sings its message. It is as if this love story is played on
violins. The reader is thus brought, not simply to understand, but to taste and share the delights
of the lovers. This is precisely what Christ' s people need, as Sibbes knew: it is not enough to be
aware of Christ' s love; we must sense, grasp and enjoy it. Only then will we truly love the Lord our God with all our hearts.
That is one reason why so many avoid books like this one: they want information, and they want it
fast. But Sibbes intends to affect you, to hold your eyes on Jesus that you might develop a
stronger appetite for him. Such work cannot be fast work, but it is profoundly transforming.
heavenly affections unto Jesus Christ . Indeed it does! And that was very much what Richard Sibbes
(1577-1635) was about in all his ministry.
The Love of Christ is a series of sermons preached on Song of Solomon 4:16-6:3. For Sibbes,
this Bible book is nothing else but a plain demonstration and setting forth of the love of Christ to his church, and of the love of the church to Christ . The Song of Solomon does not simply mouth a doctrine: its sensuous imagery sings its message. It is as if this love story is played on
violins. The reader is thus brought, not simply to understand, but to taste and share the delights
of the lovers. This is precisely what Christ' s people need, as Sibbes knew: it is not enough to be
aware of Christ' s love; we must sense, grasp and enjoy it. Only then will we truly love the Lord our God with all our hearts.
That is one reason why so many avoid books like this one: they want information, and they want it
fast. But Sibbes intends to affect you, to hold your eyes on Jesus that you might develop a
stronger appetite for him. Such work cannot be fast work, but it is profoundly transforming.
376 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1639
42 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
About the author
Richard Sibbes
237 books100 followersRichard Sibbes was born at Tostock, Suffolk, in 1577 and went to school in Bury St Edmunds. His father, 'a good sound-hearted Christian', at first intended that Richard should follow his own trade as a wheelwright, but the boy s 'strong inclination to his books, and well-profiting therein' led to his going up to St John's College, Cambridge in 1595. He was converted around 1602-3 through the powerful ministry of Paul Bayne, the successor of William Perkins in the pulpit of Great St Andrew's Church.
After earning his B.D. in 1610, Sibbes was appointed a lecturer at Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge. Later, through the influence of friends, he was chosen to be the preacher at Gray's Inn, London, and he remained there until 1626. In that year he returned to Cambridge as Master of St Catherine's Hall, and later returned to Holy Trinity, this time as its vicar. He was granted a Doctorate in Divinity in 1627, and was thereafter frequently referred to as 'the heavenly Doctor Sibbes'. He continued to exercise his ministry at Gray's Inn, London, and Holy Trinity, Cambridge, until his death on 6 July 1635 at the age of 58.
After earning his B.D. in 1610, Sibbes was appointed a lecturer at Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge. Later, through the influence of friends, he was chosen to be the preacher at Gray's Inn, London, and he remained there until 1626. In that year he returned to Cambridge as Master of St Catherine's Hall, and later returned to Holy Trinity, this time as its vicar. He was granted a Doctorate in Divinity in 1627, and was thereafter frequently referred to as 'the heavenly Doctor Sibbes'. He continued to exercise his ministry at Gray's Inn, London, and Holy Trinity, Cambridge, until his death on 6 July 1635 at the age of 58.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 19, 2025
Excellent. 20 beautiful sermons on Song of Songs, looking at Christ’s loving pursuit of his weak and wayward but sincere Church.
July 27, 2012
First, the criticism. After all, isn't that what itching ears long for above all else?
- This collection of sermons from Song of Solomon is pure allegory. That means that Sibbes is constantly making (often times arbitrary) decisions about what every line represents in regards to Christ and his Church. I am all for SOME allegory in preaching from SOS (surely Ephesians 5:32 explains that marriage exemplifies Christ's relationship to the church) but Dr. Sibbes is all aboard the allegory train.
Now for the praise
- This book is rich, sweet food for the soul. The "Heavenly Dr." may be preaching Christ from the wrong text on some things but it is glorious preaching. Only read this book if you want your soul and affections to be brought deeper into the love and majesty of Christ.
I hold nothing against the good Dr. Sibbes other than intense gratitude for his wise, pastoral care for my soul. I look forward to meeting him in Glory.
February 1, 2021
If you want a deeper fuller understanding of Song of Solomon this might not be the book for you.
On the other hand, if you want to enjoy Dr. Sibbes doing what Dr. Sibbes do, its a great book.
Like in his other works, the word is thoroughly sifted through and in any small way it may relate to our condition or describe the beauty of Christ.
The last few sermons, I would say starting and particularly in #17, where he thoroughly examines and expounds on "I am my beloved's and he is mine," is some of his best work and really stirs up those affections and emotions that Christians often faint for lacking.
Banner of Truth did a great job making it readable compared to other versions i have glanced at. Though I am not too proud to admit that I did giggle when I found that Sibbes's original title was "Bowels Opened" and was almost on the floor when I was reading about "moving the bowels." So yes, the language and usage has changed over the past 500 years and I am still very much a child.
On the other hand, if you want to enjoy Dr. Sibbes doing what Dr. Sibbes do, its a great book.
Like in his other works, the word is thoroughly sifted through and in any small way it may relate to our condition or describe the beauty of Christ.
The last few sermons, I would say starting and particularly in #17, where he thoroughly examines and expounds on "I am my beloved's and he is mine," is some of his best work and really stirs up those affections and emotions that Christians often faint for lacking.
Banner of Truth did a great job making it readable compared to other versions i have glanced at. Though I am not too proud to admit that I did giggle when I found that Sibbes's original title was "Bowels Opened" and was almost on the floor when I was reading about "moving the bowels." So yes, the language and usage has changed over the past 500 years and I am still very much a child.
April 9, 2022
A gem of a book, Richard Sibbes does a marvelous job to write about the Love of Christ.
In order to appreciate his work, we must put aside how he uses allegory to understand the love of Christ and his church in Song of Songs. While modern day authors will not agree how he interprets Song of Songs, there is no doubt that what he writes is throughly biblical, richly beneficial for the soul, and absolutely stirring to raise affections of our souls to Christ.
While reading the book, I came to realize that it was the longest Puritan paperback published by BOT. So you will get your money’s worth by reading this book! But beyond this, the topic itself of the love of Christ is worth its weigh in gold. Be prepared to get your souls stirred, and for you to labour to love Christ more!
In order to appreciate his work, we must put aside how he uses allegory to understand the love of Christ and his church in Song of Songs. While modern day authors will not agree how he interprets Song of Songs, there is no doubt that what he writes is throughly biblical, richly beneficial for the soul, and absolutely stirring to raise affections of our souls to Christ.
While reading the book, I came to realize that it was the longest Puritan paperback published by BOT. So you will get your money’s worth by reading this book! But beyond this, the topic itself of the love of Christ is worth its weigh in gold. Be prepared to get your souls stirred, and for you to labour to love Christ more!
July 27, 2020
Disclaimer: I love Puritan authors and their works! However, I found this Sibbes work a bit frustrating. He wrote wonderful Biblical truths and expressed them with his usual beauty and clarity. The frustrating part for me is his use of allegory as his only way to read the Song of Songs, and much of it, as another reviewer noted, seems arbitrary. It was, in my opinion a great example of getting right doctrines from the wrong texts. Still very much worth reading, but be aware of the potential challenges.
January 4, 2018
Excellent. Extremely profitable exposition of the drama of the Bride and her search for the Beloved in the Song of Solomon. This book will help transform your understanding and experience of the love of Christ both for His Bride generally and you individually.
May 11, 2017
What an illuminating read! It is such a blessing to sit at the good doctor's feet and learn from him, as he opens up Solomon's song. These are some of the finest sermons I have ever read!
December 28, 2019
Sibbes' writings (sermons) are always comforting and uplifting, because he always points his readers (listeners) to Christ.
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July 6, 2012Read this book if you want to gain a deeper understanding of the Song of Solomon and how it applies to Christians today. The language is old-fashioned, but the truths are timeless.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews