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

If I were of the Opinion of those Greek Fathers, who thought that Stars were Angels or had intellectual Souls (matters unknown to us) I should love them as my ⟨p. 155⟩Guardians, and take it to be yet more of my concernment to be advanced to the fuller knowledge of them. But seeing I know that Angels love us, and by Office do attend and keep us, and rejoice at our good, and at our repentance, and (which is far more) are more holy and excellent Creatures than we are, it is therefore my comfort to think that I shall better know them, and live in near and perpetual acquaintance and communion with them, a more sensible and sweet communion than we can have with them here. Devils are aerial and near to this dark and sinful World, and oftener appear to men than Angels: But the Angels affect not such descending appearances, till Love and Obedience to their Lord, make it pleasing to them. And therefore we have but little knowledge, even of those that know, and love, and keep us: But when we come home to their nearest society and converse, to know them will be sweet and joyful knowledge: For they are more excellent Creatures than the most glorious that are below the Intellective Nature: They are full of Light, and full of Love to God and Man! Had God bid me pray to them I would not have refused it, but taken it for my honour: But seeing he hath not, I will do that which he hath bid me, even Love them, and rejoice in my relation to the innumerable Company of them, in the City of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, Heb. 12. 22. and long to know and love them more; expecting long to bear my part in the Praises of God and of the Lamb, in the same Chore where they are the Precentors.

If I were of the Opinion of those Greek Fathers, who thought that Stars were Angels or had intellectual Souls (matters unknown to us) I should love them as my ⟨p. 155⟩Guardians, and take it to be yet more of my concernment to be advanced to the fuller knowledge of them. But seeing I know that Angels love us, and by Office do attend and keep us, and rejoice at our good, and at our repentance, and (which is far more) are more holy and excellent Creatures than we are, it is therefore my comfort to think that I shall better know them, and live in near and perpetual acquaintance and communion with them, a more sensible and sweet communion than we can have with them here. Devils are aereal and near to this dark and sinful World, and ofter appear to men than Angels: But the Angels affect not such descending appearances, till Love and Obedience to their Lord, make it pleasing to them. And therefore we have but little knowledge, even of those that know, and love, and keep us: But when we come home to their nearest society and converse, to know them will be sweet and joyful knowledge: For they are more excellent Creatures than the most glorious that are below the Intellective Nature: They are full of Light, and full of Love to God and Man! Had God bid me pray to them I would not have refused it, but taken it for my honour: But seeing he hath not, I will do that which he hath bid me, even Love them, and rejoice in my relation to the innumerable Company of them, in the City of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem,