Page 191
CHAP. IX. Of the Number six, and the Scale thereof.
SIx is a number of perfection, because it is the most perfect in nature, in the whole course of numbers, from one to ten, and it alone is so perfect, that in the collection of its parts it results the same, neither wanting, nor abounding. for if the parts thereof, viz. the midle, the third, and sixt part, which are three, two, one, be gathered together, they per∣fectly fill up the whole body of six, which perfection all the other numbers want: Hence by the Pythagorians it is said to be altogether applyed to generation, and Marriage, and is ••••lled the Scale of the world. For the world is made of the number six, neither doth it abound, or is defective. Hence ••••at is, because the world was finished by God the sixt day. For ••••e sixt day God saw all the things which he had made, and ••••ey were very good. Therefore the heaven, and the earth, ••••d all the Host thereof were finished. It is also called the num∣ber of man because the sixt day man was created: and it is also the number of our redemption, for the sixt day Christ suffered ••••r our redemption: whence there is a great affinity betwixt the number six and the Cross, labour, and servitude: ••••nce it is commanded in the Law, that in six days the ••ork is to be done, six days Manna is to be gathered, six years ••••e ground was to be sown, and that the Hebrew servant should ••••ve his Master six years; six days the glory of the Lord appea∣red upon Mount Sina, covering it with a cloud: the Cherubins ••••d six wings, 6. circles in the Firmament, Artick, Antartick, two ••••opicks, Equinoctiall, & Eclipticall, six wandring Planets, Sa∣••••rn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury, the Moon, running through 〈◊〉〈◊〉 latitude of the Zodiack, on both sides the Eclyptick. There 〈◊〉〈◊〉 six substantificall qualities in the Elements, viz. Sharpness, ••••inness, Motion, and the contrary to these Dulness, Thickness, ••••st. There are six differences of position, Upwards, Down∣wards, Before, Behind, on the right side, one the left side. There 〈◊〉〈◊〉 six naturall offices, without which nothing can be, viz. Mag∣••••••de, Colour, Figure, Intervall, Standing, Motion. Also a solid ••••ure of any four square thing hath six superficies. There are Tones of all harmony, viz. 5. Tones, & 2. half tones which ••••e one tone, which is the sixt.