nature a substance, created by God.”^200 Furthermore, Ambrose follows the lead of
earlier Puritans in recognizing the challenge to continually be committed to Jesus
Christ as the divine Bridegroom. He warns all believers of the dangers of spiritual
adultery and declares, “far be it from us to love thee like a harlot, and not like a
wife.”^201
Central to Ambrose’s theology of spiritual marriage is the role of the Holy
Spirit who was active in both forming and maintaining union and communion. The
Spirit is the “principal bond of our union betwixt Christ and us.”^202 Ambrose shares a
common feature with John Owen in asserting that our communion is not only with the
Father and the Son, but also with the Holy Spirit.^203 God graciously sends the Holy
Spirit to dwell within believers because apart from the Spirit’s presence and power no
one is able to be in Christ or follow Christ.^204 This indwelling presence of the Spirit
illuminates the understanding to recognize Christ and his benefits more fully and
consequently one of the major activities of the Spirit is to assist believers in following
Jesus. Therefore, it is essential for individuals to seek to be in communion with the
Holy Spirit.^205 Further, Ambrose challenges his readers to be alert and observe the
workings of the Holy Spirit. Since the Holy Spirit “lifts up our souls towards heaven”
it is crucial “that Christians would be much in observation of, and in lissening to the
movings, workings, hints, and intimations of that Spirit that comes from heaven.”^206
(^200) Ambrose, Ultima (^) in Prima, Media, & Ultima (^) (1654), 69.
(^201) Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus, 9, 447 and Media (1657), 465.
(^202) Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus, 884, cf. 858, 860.
(^203) Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus, 861. cf. Owen, Communion with God, 222-74.
(^204) Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus, 857, 876. Ambrose also maintains that the Spirit
continues to assist in “growing the soul with Christ.” Prima (Appendix) in Prima,
Media, & Ultima 205 (1654), 66-7.
206 Ambrose, Ambrose, Looking Unto JesusLooking Unto Jesus, 444, 450, 1128, 1140., 846, cf. 815 (incorrectly numbered as 905), 1140.^