reached. Contemplation was a means of providing a glimpse of heaven. Ambrose
asserts the obvious reason for hungering for heaven, “[t]hat we have our share in
heaven with him; he went not up as a single person, but vertually, or mystically he
carried up all the Elect with him into glory.”^195 He maintains, “[c]onsider of Christs
ascension into heaven... what shall he ascend, and shall not we in our contemplations
follow after him? gaze O my soul on this wonderful object.”^196 This experience
awaits its consummation in heaven. Quoting Bernard, Ambrose declares, “[c]onsider
that looking unto Jesus is the work of heaven; it is begun in this life (saith Bernard)
but it is perfected in that life to come; not onely Angels, but the Saints in glory do
ever behold the face of God and Christ.”^197 Significantly Ambrose directly connects
contemplation with meditating on heaven. Earlier he bemoans that the inconsistency
of this practice allows some to “get up into heaven to see their Jesus but it is not
dayly.”^198 Therefore, he encourages his readers to make this a daily practice and
“habituate your selves to such contemplations as in the next [life] ... O tie your souls
in heavenly galleries, have you eyes continually set on Christ.”^199 Even more
dramatically he challenges his readers, Jesus “would have us to be still arising,
ascending, and mounting up in divine contemplation to his Majesty.... If Christ be in
heaven, where should we be but in heaven with him? ... Oh that every morning, and
every evening, at least, our hearts would arise, ascend, and go to Christ in heaven.”^200
Further, it is necessary to recognize the central role of the Holy Spirit in heavenly
195
(^196) Ambrose, Ambrose, Looking Unto JesusLooking Unto Jesus, 829 (incorrectly numbered 929), 871, cf. 819-924 for Ambrose’s treatment of Jesus’ -30, cf. 951.^
Ascension. 197
198 Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus, 46.^
199 Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus, 28. cf. 29.^
Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus, 30. Ambrose directly connects heavenly-
mindedness and contemplation in the example of “holy Mr. Ward”. Looking Unto
Jesus, 584. (incorrectly numbered 594). Ranew speaks of “habitual heavenly-
mindedness.” (^200) Ambrose, Looking Unto JesusSolitude Improved, 1152., 227-30.