I have also remarkably observ’d, that the Number _Seven_ is most powerful and signally predominant in _Cœlestials_; as the _Seven Circles_ in the HEAVENS, according to the _Longitude of the Axle-Tree_: The _Seven Stars_ about the _Artick-Pole_, called CHARLES’S-WAIN: The _Seven Stars_ also call’d PLEIADES: The _Seven Planets_, giving Names to the _Seven Days of the_ WEEK: The _Periodical Revolution_ of the MOON every _Seventh Day_, running round the Compass of the whole ZODIACK in _Four Times Seven Days_; that is, considering her _Phases_ as obverted to the SUN. And _Linus_, a most ancient celebrated Poet, sings thus:
_“Septima cùm venit Lux, cuncta absolvere cœpit “Omnipotens Pater, atque bonis, & Septima, & ipsa, “Est etiam rerum cunctarum Septima Origo; “Septima prima eadem perfecta, & Septima Septem, “Unde etiam Cœlum stellis errantibus aptum “Volvitur, & Circ’lis totidem circum undique fertur._
THIS _Number_ seems likewise to be of the greatest Esteem in _Religion_; and from hence among the _Hebrews_, to swear, is call’d _SEPTENARE_[117], (that is, to _protest_ by _Seven_:) So _Abraham_ making the COVENANT with _Abimelech_, appointed _Seven Ewe-Lambs_ for a Testimony: The _Seventh Day_ the Great _CREATOR_ rested from his Work: _Jacob_ served _Seven Years_: _Seven Days_ the People bewail’d the Death of _Jacob_: _Elisha_ (the Prophet) said unto _Naaman_ (the _Syrian_ Captain) Go and wash thy self _Seven Times_ in _Jordan_, and thou shalt be made whole, and thy Flesh become clean: And, in fine, _David_ said, _Seven Times_ a day do I praise _THEE_, because of thy righteous Judgments.
THESE, and innumerable such like _Sentences_ are not only couch’d in the _Books_ of _Moses_, and the whole _Volume_ of the _Old Testament_; but also expresly contain’d in the GOSPEL, and interspers’d through the whole _Bulk_ of the _New_: As the _Seven Beatitudes_, the _Seven Virtues_, the _Seven Vices_, the _Seven Petitions_ of the _LORD’s PRAYER_, the _Seven Words_ of our _SAVIOUR_ upon the _Cross_, &c. But besides, in the _Apocalypse_ or _Revelation_ of St. _JOHN_, this mysterious _NUMBER_ is most frequently mention’d, to denote its _Efficacy_ and _Excellency_ of representing some _Ænigmatical_ Truth or Emblem.