the tension associated with this term. Accusations of God’s violence as a rapist
abound. John Donne’s Holy Sonnet XIV “Batter my heart three-personed God” is
often a lightning rod for much of this critique, and in particular his final line which
reads, “[n]or ever chaste, except you ravish me.”^10 While unquestionably there is a
degree of force exercised in ravishing or drawing the soul toward God, it does not
resemble the destructive misuse of power and abusive control or violence that is
inherent in rape. Moreover, this extravagant use of intense erotic imagery that was
fairly typical among the Puritans^11 was a continuation of the practices of medieval
saints and reflected the best of the contemplative-mystical tradition of historic
Christian spirituality. Beyond this single example Ambrose understood ravishment as
the experience of being overcome, carried away by joy, or transported into the
presence of God. To be ravished is to be lifted up or out beyond oneself not by
anything one does but as a gift from God. While there is a sense of being
overpowered that requires surrender this should not occasion fear since it is motivated
by God’s love. Shortly this topic will be revisited in the consideration of the
ambiguous nature of ravishment.
Biblical and Historical Sources of Ravishment in Isaac Ambrose
Ambrose employs both biblical as well as patristic and contemporary sources
for his use of ravishment. Further, he utilizes the traditional vocabulary of desire and
delight in his writings. This accounts for the absence of ravishment in Marius van
(^10) Barbara Lewalski is rather tame in her assertion that “Christ the Bridegroom of the
soul is urged to become its ravisher or rapist.” Protestant Poetics, 104. Much less
restrained is Rambuss, Closet Devotions, 18, 50, 53-4, 68. Chapter 2 revealed his
tendency to read homoerotic intentions into the language of ravishment. Barbara
Newman, “Rereading Donne’s Holy Sonnet 14” explores the linguistic and spiritual
tension of Donne’s usage of ravishment. cf. McCullough, “Ravished by Grace.” (^11) Coffey, Theology and British Revolutions, 109.