It is becoming popular in Protestant circles to embrace traditional Roman Catholic (RC) mysticism, such as the practice of *lectio divina*. For example, see [this page](http://www.redeemer.com/connect/prayer/lectio_divina.html) on the website of Timothy Keller's church, and also his recommendation of [this book](http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/review/code=3553). However, it occurs to me that the original Reformers were probably aware of these forms of mysticism, and had reasons for rejecting them, or they would have been preserved in the Protestant tradition. In light of the current trend, it would behoove those who subscribed to a Protestant and particularly a traditional Reformed position to be aware of and wrestle with these objections.

What did the Reformers (or later Reformed theologians) teach about RC mysticism?

* In what works did they critique it?
* What were their major objections?
* Did they find anything laudable in it?
* What alternatives did they offer for spiritual growth?

I am most particularly interested in the practice of *lectio divina*.