From Diary of the American Revolution, Vol I. Compiled by Frank Moore and published in 1859.
March 15. –I am no prophet, nor the son of a prophet, yet I believe in the prophecies of the Old and New Testaments, and also in some other prophecies; nor can I forbear thinking there is something prophetic and important in the number seven–else why do the holy scriptures hold out the number seven so frequently, and so remarkably? There we may read that God rested from his work the seventh day, that the seventh day is the Sabbath, of the seventh year of release, of seven times seven being the year of the jubilee, of seven vials, seven trumpets, seven golden candlesticks, and of the seven spirits of God. In civil story, too, the number seven is distinguished. Witness the seven wonders of the world, seven wise men of Greece, and the seven champions of Christendom. Seven days make a week; the seventh son is of course a doctor, and nine sevens form the grand climacteric year. If there should be, indeed, any peculiar significancy in the number seven, which I believe no one will be hardy enough to dispute, the oftener that number occurs in any subject, especially in dates and eras, the more significant and important must be the subject, date, or era; from hence the importance of the present year, in which three sevens unite, may be fairly deduced.
I have been led to these reflections by a tradition which hath been handed down from the first settlement of New England: that when three sevens should meet in the date of the year, the American colonies would become independent States; and a prophecy that was some years ago published–that in the year 1777 there would be war throughout Europe. Whether appearances favor this last prophecy or not, let those say who are better acquainted with the European States than I am, and know how the war between the United States of America and Great Britain will affect them; but a great number of circumstances concur to countenance the prophecy respecting the establishment of American Independency, which are too obvious to be mentioned.
I cannot, however, leave this subject without acknowledging my great obligations to an ingenious gentleman, who is deeply read in prophecies, for furnishing me with the following prophecy, which relates directly to my subject, and had escaped my observation. Alexander Pedan, an eminent Scotch divine, not more remarkable for his piety and sufferings than his spirit of prophecy, hath left it on record, that when three sevens should meet, a star of the first lustre and magnitude would fall from the crown of Great Britain. Most prophecies are delivered in enigmatical terms, which time only can develop. However, may we not conjecture that the noted divine, Alexander Pedan, had in idea the present year? And does it require much skill in enigmatical learning to see through these prophecies, and to conclude, with a degree of confidence, that this very year, 1777, will be the grand jubilee of American Freedom and Independency?
May He that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand accomplish the prophecy! Thus devoutly wisheth and prayeth Behman. 1
1 Freeman’s Journal, March 15.