Part 57 (1/2)

_Ans_ G.o.d, creating and animating matter, expressed by 0, which, alone, is of no value.

_Qu_ What does the unit _mean_?

_Ans_ In the moral order, a Word incarnate in the bosom of a virgin--or religion.... In the physical, a spirit embodied in the virgin earth--or nature.

_Qu_ What do you mean by the number _two_?

_Ans_ In the moral order, _man_ and _woman_.... In the physical, the _active_ and the _pa.s.sive_.

_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 3?

_Ans_ In the moral order, the three theological virtues.... In the physical, the three principles of bodies.

_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 4?

_Ans_ The four cardinal virtues.... The four elementary qualities.

_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 5?

_Ans_ The quintessence of religion.... The quintessence of matter.

_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 6?

_Ans_ The theological cube.... The physical cube.

_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 7?

_Ans_ The seven sacraments.... The seven planets.

_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 8?

_Ans_ The small number of Elus.... The small number of wise men.

_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 9?

_Ans_ The exaltation of religion.... The exaltation of matter.

_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 10?

_Ans_ The ten commandments.... The ten precepts of nature.

_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 11?

_Ans_ The multiplication of religion.... The multiplication of nature.

_Qu_ What do you mean by the number 12?

_Ans_ The twelve Articles of Faith; the twelve Apostles, foundation of the Holy City, who preached throughout the whole world, for our happiness and spiritual joy.... The twelve operations of nature: The twelve signs of the Zodiac, foundation of the _Primum Mobile_, extending it throughout the Universe for our temporal felicity.

[The Rabbi (President of the Sanhedrim) adds: From all that you have said, it results that the unit develops itself in 2, is completed in three internally, and so produces 4 externally; whence, through 6, 7, 8, 9, it arrives at 5, half of the spherical number 10, to ascend, pa.s.sing through 11, to 12, and to raise itself, by the number 4 times 10, to the number 6 times 12, the final term and summit of our eternal happiness.]