gh a Poynt be no _Magnitude_, yet _Terminatiuely_, we
recken it a thing _Mathematicall_ (as I sayd) by reason it is properly
the end, and bound of a line. Neither _Number_, nor _Magnitude_, haue
any Materialitie. First, we will consider of _Number_, and of the
Science _Mathematicall_, to it appropriate, called _Arithmetike_: and
afterward of _Magnitude_, and his Science, called _Geometrie_. But that
name contenteth me not: whereof a word or two hereafter shall be sayd.
How Immateriall and free from all matter, _Number_ is, who doth not
perceaue? yea, who doth not wonderfully wonder at it? For, neither pure
_Element_, nor _Aristoteles, Quinta Essentia_, is hable to serue for
Number, as his propre matter. Nor yet the puritie and simplenes of
Substance Spirituall or Angelicall, will be found propre enough thereto.
And therefore the great & godly Philosopher _Anitius Boetius_, sayd:
_Omnia quaecun[que] a primaeua rerum natura constructa sunt, Numerorum
videntur ratione formata. Hoc enim fuit principale in animo Conditoris
Exemplar_. That is: +_All thinges (which from the very first originall
being of thinges, haue bene framed and made) do appeare to be Formed by
the reason of Numbers. For this was the principall example or patterne
in the minde of the Creator_.+ O comfortable allurement, O rauishing
perswasion, to deale with a Science, whose Subiect, is so Auncient, so
pure, so excellent, so surmounting all creatures, so vsed of the
Almighty and incomprehensible wisdome of the Creator, in the distinct
creation of all creatures: in all their distinct partes, properties,
natures, and vertues, by order, and most absolute number, brought, from
_Nothing_, to the _Formalitie_ of their being and state. By _Numbers_
propertie therefore, of vs, by all possible meanes, (to the perfection
of the Science) learned, we may both winde and draw our selues into the
inward and deepe search and vew, of all creatures distinct vertues,
natures, properties, and _Formes_: And also, farder, arise, clime,
ascend, and mount vp (with Speculatiue winges) in spirit, to behold in
the Glas of Creation, the _Forme of Formes_, the _Exemplar Number_ of
all thinges _Numerable_: both visible and inuisible, mortall and
immortall, Corporall and Spirituall. Part of this profound and diuine
Science, had _Ioachim_ the Prophesier atteyned vnto: by _Numbers
Formall, Naturall_, and _Rationall_, forseyng, concludyng, and
forshewyng great particular euents, long before t