Spiritual Marriage and - Durham e-Theses - Durham University

iv

CONTENTS

DECLARATION viii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ix

(^) ABBREVIATIONS xi
INTRODUCTION xii
PORTRAIT OF ISAAC AMBROSE xv
Chapter

1. INTRODUCTION TO PURITAN MYSTICISM 1
   Defining Mysticism 4
   Defining Puritanism 10

(^) Defining Puritan Mysticism 14
Evidence of the Contemplative-Mystic Piety within Puritanism 26
Literature Review Related to Isaac Ambrose 28
Writings of Isaac Ambrose 38
The Hermeneutical Process 40
Conclusion 46

2. BIBLICAL AND THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION OF
   SPIRITUAL MARRIAGE 50
   Biblical Foundations of Spiritual Marriage 52
   Historical Roots of Spiritual Marriage 54
   Puritan Reading and Exegesis of Scripture 59
   Puritan Celebration of Godly Marriage and Sex 63
   Spiritual Marriage in the Writings of the Puritans 74
   Spiritual Marriage in Isaac Ambrose 87