Richard Baxter's dying thoughts upon Phil. I, 23 written for his own life and…

§ 22. And I must needs say that it is a pleasant Thought to me, and greatly helpeth my willingness to die, to think that I shall go to all the Holy ones, both Christ and Angels, and departed blessed Souls. For 1. God hath convinced me, that they are better than I, (each singly) and therefore more amiable than my self: 2. And that many are better than one, and the whole than a poor sinful part, and the New Jerusalem is the Glory of the Creation. 3. God hath given me a Love to all his Holy Ones as such. 4. And a Love to the work of Love and Praise which they continually and perfectly perform to God. 5. And a Love to the Celestial Jerusalem as it is complete, and to his Glory shining in them. 6. And my old acquaintance with many a holy Person▪ gone to Christ, doth make my Thoughts of Heaven the more familiar to me. O how many of them could I name. 7. And it is no small encouragement to one that is to enter upon an unseen World, to think that he goeth not an• ••trodden Path, nor enters into a solitary or singular state; but followeth all from the Creation to this day, that have passed by death to endless life. And is it not an emboldening consideration to think that I am to go no other way▪ nor to no other place or state, than all the Believers and Saints have gone to before me, from the beginning to this time. (Of this more anon.)

§ 22. And I must needs say that it is a pleasant Thought to me, and greatly helpeth my willingness to die, to think that I shall go to all the Holy ones, both Christ and Angels, and departed blessed Souls. For 1. God hath convinced me, that they are better than I, (each singly) and therefore more amiable than my self: 2. And that many are better than one, and the whole than a poor sinful part, and the New Hierusalem is the Glory of the Creation. 3. God hath given me a Love to all his Holy Ones as such. 4. And a Love to the work of Love and Praise which they continually and perfectly perform to God. 5. And a Love to the Celestial Jerusalem as it is compleat, and to his Glory shining in them. 6. And my old acquaintance with many a holy Person▪ gone to Christ, doth make my Thoughts of Heaven the more familiar to me. O how many of them could I name. 7. And it is no small encouragement to one that is to enter upon an unseen World, to think that he goeth not an• trodden Path, nor enters into a solitary or singular state; but followeth all from the Creation to this day, that have passed by death to endless life. And is it not an emboldening consideration to think that I am to go no other way nor to no other place or state, than all the Believers and Saints have gone to before me, from the beginning to this time. (Of this more anon.)