The Mystical Number Seven;
Including a Variety of Other Curious and Interesting Particulars, Collected Chiefly From the Sacred Scriptures.
First and only edition, no other copy traced. Green - who styles himself L.T., perhaps "lay teacher"? - opens with what he evidently felt was a clear statement of the underlying principle of his publication; "Seven is composed of the first two numbers, equal and unequal, three and four; for the number two consisting of a repeated unity which is no number, is not perfect. It comprehends the primary numerical triangle or trine, and square or quartile, conjunctions considered by the favourers of planetary influence as the most benign aspect". What follows is a thorough, densely written, winnowing of the Bible for significant appearances of the number seven - "within this number are concealed all the mysteries of the Apocalypse revealed to the 7 churches in Asia" - with occasional digressions into such themes as the age of the kings and queens of England, or English judges; "From the above statement, we find that 7 of the Judges are between 60 and 70 years of age, and that the ages of all the judges amount to 1001 which 143 times 7". Intriguing and rather pleasing.
Description
Octavo (178 x 108 mm) pp. iv, (5)-36. Crudely bound, sewn to two vellum tabs pasted into to limp sheepskin wrappers, "pastedowns" lined with sheets from an accounts book.
Condition
wrappers a little rubbed and soiled, spine mildly scuffed, first and last leaves tan-browned from the wrappers, small piece torn from the inner edge of the title without loss of text, some light browning throughout, leaves becoming loose, a rather battered survival, but remaining about very good.
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