offers a greater opportunity to “enjoy the benefits” of God.^63 Therefore, he believes
his practice of taking a month-long annual retreat allows him to benefit from both of
these necessities of the spiritual life. He continues his appeal by commenting on the
proper use of solitude and discerning when it is best to avoid and when it is wise to
enter it. He writes,
Hence I say, that in the very time of the assaults, or of Satans injections, it is
good to avoid solitariness, as of choice; yet if God, by virtue of our calling,
shall draw or lead us into solitary places at such a time, we need not fear,
Jesus Christ was led of the Spirit into the wildernessdevil. If we are led into a wilderness by Divine Providence, and in our calling, , to be tempted of the
and that we run not our selves rashly into a temptation, we may confidently
expect a comfortable issue out of it.^64
Additionally Ambrose cautions his readers to not yield “to roving, ranging thoughts”
so that their time in solitude might be well spent.^65 Clearly for Ambrose his retreats
were more than a spiritual luxury or a means toward escaping the pressures of life.
Rather in identifying with Jesus he felt he was drawn into the wilderness by the Holy
Spirit to prepare and refine him to be the best minister for his congregation.
Therefore, his experiences of God would serve as an important motivation and
encouragement for others.
In reviewing Ambrose’s retreat experiences it is evident that he possessed a
contemplative hunger and desire that was consciously aware of God. His experiences
of God were renewed by delight and the sweet enjoyment of communion. This deep
communion of “delicate intimacies” is strongly reflective of being in union with
Christ or spiritual marriage. This was certainly one of the results of his annual
(^63) Ambrose, Communion with Angels (^) , 277.
(^64) Ambrose, War with Devils, 172. cf. Scudder, Christians Daily Walke, 184-7 for a
discussion on the proper use of solitude. Nehemiah Wallington confesses that
“solitariness” created a greater temptation towards suicide and lust for himself.
Seaver, (^65) Ambrose, Wallington’s WorldWar with Devils, 31, 126. , 172.