Previously Unpublished Works, Fascicle 1

Concerning the angelic nature, he conveys the opinion of Plato in the Symposium original: "in Simposio", namely, that to every man one angel is assigned as a guardian against all evils, and to promote and stir him toward good things. After the soul has been separated from the body, this angel becomes a witness before God the judge of the good and evil things the person did while in the body. He also asserts that angels carry the petitions of men to the heavens and bring back gifts from the heavens to men. One angel presides over one province, and another over another. He says many such things in these words 1 Apuleius, On the God of Socrates (De Deo Soc.), page 67, 1594 edition.:

"There are certain divine middle powers in this interval 2 The manuscript uses "intersito," but a later hand noted "interstitio" (interval) in the margin. between men and the inhabitants of heaven, through whom our desires and merits travel to them 3 The printed text reads "to the gods" (ad deos).. They are carriers, bringing prayers from here and gifts from there. They carry petitions back and forth, and bring support from one side to the other. They are, in a sense, interpreters and bearers of health 4 The manuscript reads "salutem geri" (health to be carried). for both sides. Through these powers, each angel takes care of the province assigned to him, whether by confirming dreams, or governing the prepetes In Roman augury, these were birds whose flight patterns provided omens., or instructing the oscines 5 The manuscript reads "obscurioribus" (more obscure things). Oscines were birds whose songs or calls provided omens., or inspiring prophets, and other such signs we recognize. All these things are done by the heavenly will, power, and authority; but it must be understood that they occur through the obedience, labor, and ministry of angels."

"From this abundance of angels, Plato maintains that for individual men in the conduct of life, individual 6 The manuscript reads "singulis" (to individuals). witnesses and guardians are added. They are always present, visible to no one, and are judges of all things 7 The manuscript reads "omni" (of every)., not only of deeds, but also of thoughts. But when life is ended and it is time to return, that same one who was set over us seizes and drags the soul like his charge to judgment. He assists there in the conducting of the case, and the sentence is carried out entirely on his testimony. Therefore, all of you who listen to this divine opinion of Plato with me as your interpreter, shape your minds for whatever is to be done or meditated upon 8 The manuscript reads "judicanda" (to be judged).. Know that nothing is secret for a man from these guardians, whether within the mind or outside it. That guardian perceives everything carefully; he sees and understands everything. He is a guardian, a unique commander, a domestic lookout, a personal caretaker 9 The manuscript was altered to read "tutator" (protector)., an intimate witness, a constant observer, an inseparable judge, an inseparable witness, a disapprover of evil, and an approver of good things... in these matters."