“Reading the Word,” “[t]hat it happens sometimes such raptures may seize on a man,
even while he is reading the Scriptures; as the Disciples hearts burned within them,
whist our Saviour talked with them, going to Emmaus, and if so, then the heart opens
itself to close with and draw in that ravishing object.”^97 The other example relates to
the apostle Paul, “[t]hus Paul prayed for the Thessalonians, and when Timothy came,
and brought him good tidings of their faith and charity, he was not only comforted,
but in his ravishment he cryes, What thanks can we render again to God for you?”^98
Ambrose includes 1 Thessalonians 3:6, 7, 9 in the margin which indicate that Paul is
overjoyed with the good news that he has received from Timothy regarding these
believers.
Ambrose recognizes the origin or cause of ravishment can be God, Jesus, the
Holy Spirit, and Scripture, which normally represents the voice of Jesus.
Additionally, the use of spiritual duties can ravish humanity and therefore, as
previously stated, the Church has the ability to ravish Jesus. Since elsewhere in this
chapter many references to God and Jesus have already been examined only the Holy
Spirit, Scripture, and spiritual duties’ ability to ravish will be examined. Consistent
with Calvin’s strong emphasis upon the “inner witness” or testimony of the Holy
Spirit Ambrose follows that same Reformed pattern, “[t]here is a testimony of the
Spirit which sometimes the Spirit may suggest and testifie to the sanctified conscience
with a secret still heart-ravishing voice.”^99 Not surprisingly the Holy Spirit often
engages with Scripture and spiritual duties to create ravishment. In the discussion of
(^97) Ambrose, Media (^) (1657), 482. (^)
(^98) Ambrose, Media (1657), 451.
(^99) Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus, 889, cf. 809, 881; Ambrose, Ultima in Prima,
Media, Ultima (1654), 201; Media (1657), 10, 184, 492; and War with Devils, 184 for
other of the Spirit see examples of the Spirit’s role in “ravishment”. For Calvin on the inner witness Institutes, 1.7.4-5, 3.2.34.