* set vp 900. Conclusions, in all kinde of Sciences, openly to be disputed of: and among the rest, in his Conclusions _Mathematicall_, (in the eleuenth Conclusion) hath in Latin, this English sentence. _By Numbers, a way is had, to the searchyng out, and vnderstandyng of euery thyng, hable to be knowen. For the verifying of which Conclusion, I promise to aunswere to the 74. Questions, vnder written, by the way of Numbers_. Which Cõclusions, I omit here to rehearse: aswell auoidyng superfluous prolixitie: as, bycause _Ioannes Picus, workes_, are commonly had. But, in any case, I would wish that those Conclusions were red diligently, and perceiued of such, as are earnest Obseruers and Considerers of the constant law of nũbers: which is planted in thyngs Naturall and Supernaturall: and is prescribed to all Creatures, inuiolably to be kept. For, so, besides many other thinges, in those Conclusions to be marked, it would apeare, how sincerely, & within my boundes, I disclose the wonderfull mysteries, by numbers, to be atteyned vnto. Of my former wordes, easy it is to be gathered, that _Number_ hath a treble state: One, in the Creator: an other in euery Creature (in respect of his complete constitution:) and the third, in Spirituall and Angelicall Myndes, and in the Soule of mã. In the first and third state, _Number_, is termed _Number Numbryng_. But in all Creatures, otherwise, _Number_, is termed _Nũber Numbred_. And in our Soule, Nũber beareth such a swaye, and hath such an affinitie therwith: that some of the old _Philosophers_ taught, _Mans Soule, to be a Number mouyng it selfe_. And in dede, in vs, though it be a very Accident: yet such an Accident it is, that before all Creatures it had perfect beyng, in the Creator, Sempiternally. _Number Numbryng_ therfore, is the discretion discerning, and distincting of thinges. But in God the Creator, This discretion, in the beginnyng, produced orderly and distinctly all thinges. For his _Numbryng_, then, was his Creatyng of all thinges. And his Continuall _Numbryng_, of all thinges, is the Conseruation of them in being: And, where and when he will lacke an _Vnit_: there and then, that particular thyng shalbe _Discreated_. Here I stay. But our Seuerallyng, distinctyng, and _Numbryng_, createth nothyng: but of Multitude considered, maketh certaine and distinct determination. And albeit these thynges be waighty and truthes of great importance, yet (by the infinite goodnes of the Almighty _Ternarie_,) Artificiall Methods and easy wayes are made, by which the zelous Philosopher, may wyn nere this Riuerish _Ida_, this Mountayne of Contemplation: and more then Contemplation. And also, though _Number_, be a thyng so Immateriall, so diuine, and æternall: yet by degrees, by litle and litle, stretchyng forth, and applying some likenes of it, as first, to thinges Spirituall: and then, bryngyng it lower, to thynges sensibly perceiued: as of a momentanye