celebrated._
But, on the seventh day (_i.e._, the same day repeated seven times,
which number is also a perfect one, though for another reason), the
rest of God is set forth, and then, too, we first hear of its being
hallowed. So that God did not wish to hallow this day by His works, but
by His rest, which has no evening, for it is not a creature; so that,
being known in one way in the Word of God, and in another in itself, it
should make a twofold knowledge, daylight and dusk (day and evening).
Much more might be said about the perfection of the number seven,
but this book is already too long, and I fear lest I should seem to
catch at an opportunity of airing my little smattering of science more
childishly than profitably. I must speak, therefore, in moderation and
with dignity, lest, in too keenly following "number," I be accused of
forgetting "weight" and "measure." Suffice it here to say, that three
is the first whole number that is odd, four the first that is even,
and of these two, seven is composed. On this account it is often put
for all numbers together, as, "A just man falleth seven times, and
riseth up again,"[500]--that is, let him fall never so often, he will
not perish (and this was meant to be understood not of sins, but of
afflictions conducing to lowliness). Again, "Seven times a day will I
praise Thee,"[501] which elsewhere is expressed thus, "I will bless the
Lord _at all times_."[502] And many such instances are found in the
divine authorities, in which the number seven is, as I said, commonly
used to express the whole, or the completeness of anything. And so the
Holy Spirit, of whom the Lord says, "He will teach you all truth,"[503]
is signified by this number.[504] In it is the rest of God, the rest
His people find in Him. For rest is in the whole, _i.e._ in perfect
completeness, while in the part there is labour. And thus we labour
as long as we know in part; "but when that which is perfect is come,
then that which is in part shall be done away."[505] It is even with
toil we search into the Scriptures themselves. But the holy angels,
towards whose society and assembly we sigh while in this our toilsome
pilgrimage, as they already abide in their eternal home, so do they
enjoy perfect facility of knowledge and felicity of rest. It is without
difficulty that they help us; for their spiritual movements, pure and
free, cost them no effort.