But, on the seventh day (that is, 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 made holy. So God did not wish to make this day holy 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 am afraid that I may seem to be seizing an opportunity to air my little smattering of learning more childishly than profitably. I must speak, therefore, in moderation and with dignity, so that, in following “number” too keenly, I may not be accused of forgetting “weight” and “measure.”⁠a It is enough to say here 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 used for all numbers together, as in “A just man falls seven times, and rises up again,” Proverbs 24:16 — that is, however often he falls, he will not perish (and this was meant to be understood not of sins, but of afflictions that lead to lowliness). Again, “Seven times a day I will praise You,” Psalm 119:164 which elsewhere is expressed thus, “I will bless the Lord at all times.” 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,” John 16:13 is signified by this number. In it is the rest of God, the rest His people find in Him. For rest is in the whole, that is, in perfect completeness, while in the part there is labor. And thus we labor as long as we know in part; “but when what is perfect has come, then what is in part will be done away with.” It is even with toil we search into the Scriptures themselves. But the holy angels, for whose society and assembly we sigh while on this toilsome pilgrimage of ours, already dwell in their eternal home, and so they enjoy perfect ease of knowledge and happiness of rest. It is without difficulty that they help us; for their spiritual movements, pure and free, cost them no effort.