attention and care.”^210 Ambrose’s diary reveals the topophilia of these annual retreat
places, “[t]his day [May 19, 1647] I went to Weddicre, that in those sweet silent
Woods (where I have found God many a time) I might fall upon the practice of some
secret Duties, and enjoy sweet communion with my Lord and my God.”^211
There are at least two different ways in which to appropriate and appreciate
nature. The first more elementary level provides a divergent setting that offers a
contrast from the normal activities of a person’s daily life.^212 Ambrose definitely
understood Weddicre this way. He followed the practice of Jesus entering the
wilderness as a motivation and approval for his own practice. Wilderness is a term
that is full of meaning in the study of Christian spirituality.^213 Ambrose recognized
the inherent ambiguity that his retreats provided both a prolonged time to focus on
God as well as increased pressures of Satan’s temptation. Withdrawal is a necessity
for entering a wilderness setting and “one of the fundamental features of Christian
monasticism is that it demands withdrawal.”^214 Both the previous reference as well as
the May 20, 1646 entry illustrates that awareness, “I came to Weddicre, which I did
upon mature resolution, every year about that pleasant Spring time (if the Lord
pleased) to retire my self, and in some solitary and silent place to practice especially
the secret Duties of a Christian.”^215 The terms retire, solitary, and silent places all
reveal that there was something very unique about these woods. It provided an
(^210) Sheldrake, Spaces for t (^) he Sacred (^) , 154.
(^211) Ambrose, Media (1650), 76. Ambrose’s retreat experiences are an example of
Watkins’ third level. 212 Puritan Experience, 64.
213 This reflects Watkins’ second level. Puritan Experience, 64.^
Louth, Wilderness of God, cf. 131 where Louth asserts a dense forest served the
same purpose as the desert for early Christians. For a Puritan discussion on the
wilderness see Hambrick 214 - Stowe, Practice of Piety, 243-77.
215 Sheldrake, Ambrose, MediaSpaces for the Sacred (1650), 74. , 91.^