Exercitations concerning the name, original, nature, use, and continuance of a day of sacred…

[Greek or Hebrew] [Greek or Hebrew].

〈non-Latin alphabet〉 〈non-Latin alphabet〉.

In seven all things were perfected, in the Starry Heavens, which appear in their Orbs, or Circles, in the Rolling or voluble years. This was the true Original of their Notions concerning the sacredness of the Number seven. But when this was obscured or lost amongst them, as were the greatest and most important sacred Truths communicated unto man, in his Creation, they, many of them retaining the Principle of the sacred number, invented other Reasons for it of no importance. Some of these were Arithmetical, some Harmonical or Musical Notions. But were their Reasons for it never so infirm, the thing it self they still retained. Hence were their Notations of this number; It was termed by them the Virgin, and Pallas; and [Greek or Hebrew], which sacredly is, saith Hesychius, [Greek or Hebrew], the number of seven. It is hard to give any other Account, whence all these conceptions should arise, besides that insisted on. From the Original Impression made on the minds of men by the Instruction of the Law of Creation, which they were made under, and the Tradition of the Creation of the world in six days, closed with an additional Day of Sacred Rest, did these Notions and obscure Remembrances of the specialty of that Number arise. And although we have not yet enquired what Influence into the Law of Creation, as instructive and directive of our Actions, the six days work had, with its consequential Day of Rest; yet all will grant, that whatever it were, ⟨p. 75⟩it was far more clear and cogent unto man in Innocency, directly obliged by that Law, and able to understand its voice in all things, than it could be to them who by the Effects of it made some dark enquiries after it; who were yet able to conclude, that there was somewhat sacred in the number of seven, though they knew not well what.