explore Ambrose’s teaching on meditation including his definition and types of
meditation. This will be followed by an investigation of the origin and roots of
Ambrose’s meditative practice that in turn leads to the historical sources of
contemplation. Next, the faculties of the soul, and in particular, the use of
imagination will be considered. The largest section of this chapter will appropriately
study Ambrose’s use of contemplation in his writings and will conclude with a review
of the benefits and effects of contemplation, as he understood them.
Distinction Between Meditation and Contemplation
Meditation was one of the primary spiritual practices of seventeenth-century
Puritans.^2 However, some were more specific and drew a distinction between
meditation and contemplation. John Downame declares “in nature there is a small
difference between Meditation and Contemplation, yet as the Schooles define it, there
is some in degree; Meditation being an exercise of a lower and meaner nature, within
the reach of all Christians which will put out their hand unto it; Contemplation more
highly and heavenly, fit only for such as by long exercise have attained to much
perfection.”^3 Downame’s reference to the Schooles reflects the traditional medieval
understanding and not that of Protestantism. However, it should be recognized that
many Protestants did not automatically discount this wisdom. In reality, one of the
reasons for the Protestant resistance to contemplation was its exclusive or elitist
nature. Thomas White’s contrast written over thirty years later is more helpful.
White maintained “[c]ontemplation is more like the beatificall Vision which they
(^2) Horton Davies has produced the most expansive study on this topic. (^) Worship and
Theology in England. cf. Beeke, “Puritan Practice of Meditation”; Kaufmann,
Pilgrim’s Progress and Traditions in Puritan Meditation; Hambrick-Stowe, Practice
of Piety, 161-8; Lewalski, Protestant Poetics, 147-68; Green, Print and Protestantism,
(^2773) Downame, -88; and Chan, “Puritan Meditative Tradition.” Guide to Godlynesse, 534.