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Taylor - Theoretic Arithmetic.pdf - Platonic Philosophy

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ody; but from the reason of the immortal soul, there is an<br />

egress of immortal laws, through which the rational life is<br />

governed. The subjects also of the judicial power of the sight,<br />

the most excellent of the senses participate according to genus<br />

of the number seven. For there are seven things that are seen,<br />

body, interval, magnitude, colour, motion, and permanency;<br />

and besides these, nothing else. It happens likewise, that all the<br />

mutations of voice are seven, the acute, the grave, the circumflex,<br />

in the fourth place, the rough, in the fifth, the smooth, in<br />

the sixth the long, and in the seventh the short sound.<br />

Moreover, it happens that there are seven motions, the upward,<br />

the downward, to the right hand, to the left hand, before,<br />

behind, and the circular, which becomes in the highest<br />

degree manifest from leaping. It is also said, that the secretions<br />

through the body are subject to this number. For tears<br />

indeed are poured forth through the eyes; the purifications<br />

from the head through the nostrils; but the saliva which we<br />

eject, through the mouth. There are also two evacuations for<br />

carrying off superfluities; the one before, but the other behind.<br />

The sixth secretion, is the effusion of the sweat through the<br />

whole body. And the seventh is the most natural emission of<br />

the seed through the genitals. Again, the menstrual purgations<br />

in women, are for the most part supplied in seven days; and the<br />

infant in the womb is naturally adapted to be animated in<br />

seven months, as an event most paradoxical. For offspring that<br />

are born in the seventh month live; but those that are born in<br />

the eighth month for the most part die. Severe diseases of our<br />

body likewise, and especially when from the bad temperature<br />

of the corporeal powers, we are afflicted with continued fevers,<br />

are principally decided on the seventh day. For this day forms<br />

a judgment of the contest about the soul, to some decreeing<br />

safety, but to others death.<br />

But the power of this number not only extends to the above

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