'None know but they that dwell with him': Jeremy Taylor on 'Come and see'

Philip said to [Nathaniel], 'Come and see' - from the Gospel appointed for The Second Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B, John 1:43-51. Philip's words are those the Lord first addressed to Andrew and the other disciple of John the Baptist in the John 1:39.

These disciples asked of Christ where he dwelt Jesus answered, 'Come and see.' It was an answer very expressive of our duty in this instance. It is not enough for us to understand where Christ inhabits, or where he is to be found; for our understandings may follow him afar off, and we receive no satisfaction unless it be to curiosity but we must go where he is, eat of his meat, wash in his lavatory, rest on his beds, and dwell with him. For the holy Jesus hath no kind influence upon those who stand at distance, save only the affections of a loadstone, apt to draw them nigher, that he may transmit his virtues by union and confederations: but if they persist in a sullen distance, they shall learn his glories as Dives understood the peace of Lazarus, of which he was never to participate ...

Thither we must come to him, or any where else where we may enjoy him. He is to be found in a church, in his ordinances, in the communion of saints, in every religious duty, in the heart of every holy person: and if we go to him by the addresses of religion in holy places, by the ministry of holy rites, by charity, by the adherences of faith, and hope, and other combining graces, the graces of union and society, or prepare a lodging for him within us, that he may come to us; then shall we see such glories and interior beauties, which none know but they that dwell with him. The secrets of spiritual benediction are understood only by them to whom they are conveyed, even to the children of his house. Come and see - Jeremy Taylor, The Great Exemplar, Volume II, 1.ad10.4

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