others must also and that the purpose for resting is to refresh their bodies and souls so
that they “may more cheerfully return to our labors.”^186 But his most interesting
assertion is that the “exercise of contemplation... seemeth to have been one of
Solomons recreations in his best times.”^187 Downame also provides detailed
guidelines for the cautious use of recreation so as not to misuse or abuse it. He warns
his readers “that wee use them [i.e. the recreations] so, as they may refresh the body,
but not pamper the flesh.”^188 While it is difficult to understand the specific nuances
that Ambrose had when he used Lockyer’s image it is certainly possible that he
perceived it similarly to Downame, especially since he was one of the experimental
writers Ambrose endorsed and encouraged others to read. Shortly it will be clear that
Ambrose’s development of contemplation is a recreation that refreshes the soul.
Again Ambrose draws from Lockyer declaring “an holy soul can not tyre it
self in the contemplation of Jesus” and continues in his own words, “how much lesse
can it tyre it selfe in looking unto Jesus, which is far more comprehensive than
contemplating of Jesus.”^189 This is a very important distinction for Ambrose, as he
equates looking unto Jesus with the “[a]rt of Christ-contemplation.”^190 It is more
comprehensive because there is “more content in contemplating Christ” than in the
regular process of contemplating some aspect of Jesus.^191 Therefore, in looking unto
Jesus a person is actually expanding the potential for subject matter that can be
(^186) Downame, Guide to Godlynesse (^) , 262-3.
(^187) Downame, Guide to Godlynesse, 266.
(^188) Downame, Guide to Godlynesse, 269-79. Quotation at 271. Bolton’s attitude is
more restrictive and focuses on the shortness of time and the costly nature of
recreation. 189 Comfortable Walking with God, 154-180.
Ambrose, Looking Unto Jesus, To the Reader, [4], 318. cf. Lockyer, England
Faithfully Watcht 190 , 87.
191 Ambr Ambrose, ose, Looking Unto JesusLooking Unto Jesus, 42., 45.^