Spiritual Marriage in Isaac Ambrose
Isaac Ambrose employed many of the same biblical texts that inspired his
fellow Puritan preachers when speaking on spiritual marriage. However, unlike the
works previously explored in this chapter that were devoted exclusively to spiritual
marriage Ambrose did not produce any specific work on this topic. Rather he
examined the importance of spiritual marriage as it intersected various themes of
Puritan theology. Therefore, Prima that addressed the new birth illustrates that
spiritual marriage begins with a person’s conversion. Media, his work on
sanctification, demonstrates how spiritual practices guide a person to grow more fully
in Christ. Most significantly Looking Unto Jesus illustrates how contemplative
delight and enjoyment of God emerges from spiritual marriage. One of his popular
texts related to spiritual marriage was Hosea 2:19, “[a]nd I will betroth thee unto me
for ever, yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in
loving-kindness, and in mercies.”^184 As previously noted Psalm 45 was another
common text and also employed by Ambrose.^185 Ambrose frequently employed
Isaiah 62:5, “[f]or as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and
as a bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.”^186 Other
passages that formed significant biblical references for spiritual marriage in
Ambrose’s writings include Isaiah 54:8, 10; John 17:21-23; 1 Corinthians 6:17; 2
Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25, 27; and Revelations 19:7, 21:9. Surveying his
selection of Scripture reveals a consistency with both the more popular medieval texts
and other Puritans. Further, he used numerous references to the Song of Songs, but
(^184) Ambrose, Prima (^) in Prima, Media, & Ultima (^) (1654), 24; Media (1657), 293; and
Looking Unto Jesus, 11, 1038. Additionally he used Hos 2:18. Looking Unto Jesus,
- 185
Ambrose used both v. 10 in Looking Unto Jesus, 11 and v. 13 in Ultima in Prima,
186 Media, & Ultima Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus(1654), 68 and Looking Unto Jesus, 98, 1117. , 1039.^