There are three dissertations that in varying degrees mention Ambrose.
However, before exploring them there is one thesis that provides a helpful foundation
for this present research. Jonathan Won explored the degree of continuity and
discontinuity between Calvin and the seventeenth-century Puritans in their
understanding of union and communion with Christ.^129 He concluded that there was
both significant commonality as well as divergence between Calvin and the English
Puritans. Interestingly in some categories the Puritans reflected greater affinity for
Bernard of Clairvaux than Calvin. This was particularly true in the Puritan allegorical
reading of Song of Songs and the more experiential nature derived from it.^130 Won
also rightly concludes that the Puritans displayed a greater proclivity towards the
“mystical tradition” than Calvin.^131 Further, while I would agree with his assessment
than Calvin emphasized union with Christ more than communion I take exception to
the idea that the Puritans emphasized communion with Christ more than union.^132
One must remember that Calvin is one person and the Puritans obviously provide a
much broader cross section of writing where it is not uncommon to find a balanced
emphasis upon both union and communion with Christ.
The first doctoral dissertation that mentions Ambrose was written by John
Martone, who like his advisor Barbara Lewalski, is an English professor. Martone
employs four brief references to Ambrose, all related to the practice of meditation or
journal keeping.^133 More recently Joanne Jung has written on the subject of Puritan
(^129) Won, “Communion with Christ.” (^)
(^130) Won, “Communion with Christ,” 294, 334, 340-1, 344, 356.
(^131) Won, “Communion with Christ,” 353.
(^132133) Won, “Communion with Christ,” 351.
Martone, “Map of Heaven,” 9, 93-5, 166.