Christian course, [and has] often entertained Christ Jesus at Supper in their hearts.”^162
Additionally Ambrose makes a direct connection between heavenly-mindedness and
contemplation reflective of other Puritans. He asserts that contemplation provides a
preview of heaven in offering a “foretaste of the sweetnesse, glory, and eternity of
those Mansions above.” Elsewhere Ambrose more specifically soars with the
language of love with echoes of Song of Songs that is reflective of Bernard as he
pleads for Jesus to lift his soul to heaven with his rapturous love:
O sweet Jesu, touch our souls with thy spirit... give us the flagons of the new
wine of the Kingdom, which may lift up our souls above our selves in our
loves, ... and by an heavenly excess may be transported into an heavenly love,
that we may imbrace Christ, ... O let us desire union with thee.... O burn and
consume whatsoever would grow one with our souls besides thee; O let the
fire of thy spirit so wholly turn our soules into a spiritual fire.^163
Significantly Ambrose also includes the importance of the Holy Spirit in this process
of spiritual marriage.
These above references also emphasize the importance of repetition. One is
most likely to experience the gift of contemplation through cultivating the regular
“habit of more heavenly-mindednesse, by much exercise, and intercourse” with the
Triune God.^164 In connection with this reminder of frequent converse with God
Ambrose adds two related principles regarding time. First, he cautions his readers
“[n]o time can be prescribed to all men; for neither is God bound to hours, neither
doth the contrary disposition of men agree in one choice of opportunities.” Here he
refers to Isaac’s practice recorded in Genesis 24:63. The most critical factor for
determining the best time is “when we find our spirits most active and fit for
(^162) Ambrose, Media (^) (1657), 225, cf. 402 the Lord’s Supper “makes the soul heavenly (^) -
minded.” 163
Ambrose, Media (1657), 465, cf. 356, 53 for the importance of love in
contemplation. (^164) Ambrose, Media (^) (1657), 55.