number _seven_ may have been employed
because that in seven days, according to the pattern set in the period
of creation, and consequent sabbath, there are included the six days
appointed for labour and the sabbath of rest. But, however that may be,
we have the testimony of an inspired writer, that what was suggested in
symbol by the number is the design of the oath. "An oath for
confirmation is--an end of all strife."

Finally, a covenant with God, whether made in secret or in public, from
its very nature cannot be entered into without an oath. Sometimes the
vow and oath were used together. David "sware unto the Lord, and vowed
unto the mighty God of Jacob." Mutual promises among men, though they
confer obligation, do not always stand connected with a covenant with
God, for they are made sometimes without a vow or an oath. But a
promise made to God must be made either by vow or oath, or by both; and
since no covenant with Him can be made without a promise, it follows
that every covenant with Him is ratified by oath in its most explicit
form, or by the oath implied in the vow.

FOOTNOTES:

[2] Hosea vi. 7.

[3] Jer. xxxiii. 20-25.

[4] Gen. viii. 22. See also Hosea ii. 18.

[5] Gen. xvii. 7.

[6] Zech. xiii. 9.

[7] Isa. lv. 3.

[8] Isa. xlv. 24.

[9] Ps. l. 16.

[10] Confession of Faith, chap. xxii. 5, 6.

[11] Ps. cxxxii. 2.

[12] Num. xxi. 2.

[13] Gen. xxviii. 20-22.

[14] 1 Sam. i. 11.

[15] Jer. xliv. 25, 26

[16] Jonah i. 16.

[17] Deut. xxiii. 23.

[18] Num. xxx. 2.

[19] Nahum i. 15.

[20] Ps. lxi. 8.

[21] Compare Ps. cxxxii. 2, 3, and 2 Sam. vii. 1-3.

[22] Ps. lxvi. 13, 14.

[23] Mal. i. 14.

[24] Num. xxi. 2.

[25] Exod. xxxiv. 11.

[26] Num. xxx. 9.

[27] Ezek. xx. 37.

[28] Confession of Faith, xxii. 1, 2.

[29] Joshua ii. 17.

[30] Gen. xxvi. 3.

[31] Gesen. Lex. Heb. et Chald.

[32] 1 Kings viii. 31.

[33] Gen. xxiv. 3.

[34] Lev. xix. 12.

[35] Deut. vi. 13.

[36] Mat. v. 34-36.

[37] Jer. v. 2.

[38] Jer. iv. 2.

[39] Dan. xii. 7.

[40] Rev. x. 5, 6.

[41] Is. lxii. 8.

[42] Exod. xxxiii. 1; Ezek. xx. 28.

[43] Jer. iv. 1, 2.

[44] 2 Chron. vi. 22, 23.

[45] Deut. xxiii. 21, 22.

[46] Num. xxx. 2.

[47] Mat. v. 33, 34.

[48] Eccl. v. 4-6.

[49] Josh. xxii. 21-23.

[50] Ezek. xvii. 18.

[51] 1 Sam. xx. 8.

[52] Prov. ii. 17.

[53] Ezek. xvii. 16-19.

[54] 1 Kings viii. 33, 34--See also ver. 35, 36.

[55] Josh. xxi