1. The science of number must not be despised. For in many passages
of the holy scriptures it is manifest what great mystery they
contain. For it is not said in vain in the praises of God: “Omnia in
mensura et numero et pondere fecisti.” For the senarius, which is
perfect in respect to its parts,[243] declares the perfection of the
universe by a certain meaning of its number. In like manner, too, the
forty days which Moses and Elias and the Lord himself fasted, are not
understood without an understanding of number.
[243] Six was regarded as a perfect number, because it is equal
to the sum of all its factors.
3. So, too, other numbers appear in the holy scriptures whose natures
none but experts in this art can wisely declare the meaning of. It
is granted to us, too, to depend in some part upon the science of
numbers, since we learn the hours by means of it, reckon the course
of the months, and learn the time of the returning year. Through
number, indeed, we are instructed in order not to be confounded. Take
number from all things and all things perish. Take calculation from
the world and all is enveloped in dark ignorance, nor can he who
does not know the way to reckon be distinguished from the rest of the
animals.