Calvin, and other Puritans.^37 The previous chapter established that desire was one of
the nine ways of looking at Jesus. Accordingly, Ambrose defines it as “a passion
looking after the attainment of some good which we enjoy not, and which we imagine
to be fitting for us.” Or later in the same work he declares, desire is “ a certain
motion of the appetite, by which the soul darts it selfe towards the absent good,
purposely to draw neare, and to unite it selfe thereunto.”^38 Ambrose recognized the
biblical foundation of desire^39 and frequently employs the apostle Paul’s statement in
Philippians 1:21,”I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ” to illustrate the
nature and goal of desire.^40
Central to any understanding of desire is the object of that desire. Ambrose is
insistent that while Jesus “is altogether desirable” and that nothing can compare
“with the beauty of Christ” because he is full of glory, nonetheless individuals must
be careful to guard against the desires of the world that can lead them astray.^41 Indeed
the great challenge for humanity after the Fall is to ensure that the object of desire be
worthy and not distorted through disordered attachments. Therefore, Ambrose urges
his readers to “rouze up, and set this blessed object [of Jesus] before thy face!”^42 The
role of the Holy Spirit in Ambrose’s theology is essential “as we desire the assistance
(^37) On Bernard see Casey, (^) Athirst for God (^) and McGinn, Growth of Mysticism, 193-
- On Calvin see Belden Lane, “Spirituality as Performance of Desire.” On the
Puritans see Belden Lane, “Two Schools of Desire” and “Rivers of Pleasure” and
Rambuss, themes into the Puritans. Closet Devotions , though Rambuss persistently over reads homoerotic
(^38) Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus, 102, 320, cf. 769.
(^39) See for example Pss 42:1-2, 63:1, 73:25, 84:1-2; 143:6; Is 26:9; Lk 6:21; Phil 3:13-
- 40
Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus, 321, cf. 1113 and Media (1657), 210. Additionally
Ps 42:1-2 and Sg 2:5 figure prominently in Ambrose’s treatment of desire. Looking
Unto Jesus 41 , 104, 320.
42 Ambrose, Ambrose, LookinLooking Unto Jesusg Unto Jesus, 773, 485, 103., 975.