earlier in this chapter. To the question “how can our souls enjoy this Godhead?”
Ambrose replies, “[t]he understanding is filled by a clear glorious sight of God, called
Beatificall vision.”^139 While he does not specifically connect the beatific vision with
heavenly meditation Ambrose nonetheless recognizes the value of gazing on God.
After quoting Bernard, Ambrose immediately declares, “[a]nd yet because God in his
Word doth here give us as a taste of heaven, by comparing it with the most precious
things that are on earth, let us follow him so far as he hath revealed it, and no
further.”^140 Previously he declared, “[b]eloved, I know not how to expresse it, but let
your soules in some meditation flie up from Calvary to Heaven.”^141 This initial
experience will only be complete when a person reaches heaven and can “fully
contemplate the glory” of God.^142
Contemplation in Media
One of the primary themes of Media is that a person can cultivate a
contemplative attitude or experience the joyful presence of God through ascetical
practices. Ambrose reminds his auditors that spiritual duties are like “[b]ridges to
give them a passage to God, as Boats to carry them into the bosom of Christ, as
means to bring them into more intimate communion with their heavenly Father.”
Amazingly, these spiritual activities enable a person “to see the face of God.”
Further, those who meet God in spiritual duties “usually find their hearts sweetly
refreshed, as if Heaven were in them.”^143 Ambrose acknowledges that spiritual duties
were not popular in his day among the Puritans, hence his motivation for addressing
(^139) Ambrose, Ultima (^) in Prima, Media, Ultima (^) (1654), 212, cf. 203, 215.
(^140) Ambrose, Ultima in Prima, Media, Ultima (1654), 224. The reference is to SCC
- 141
142 Ambrose, Ultima in Prima, Media, Ultima (1654), 206.^
(^143) Ambrose, Ambrose, UltimaMedia (1657), 33 in Prima, Media, Ultima-4. (1654), 227.^