A treatise of the necessity of humane learning for a Gospel-preacher shewing the use of I. Languages, II. Rhetoric, III. Logic, IV. Natural philosophy, V. Moral philosophy, VI. History, VII. Chronology, VIII. Arithmetic, IX. Geometry, X. Astronomy, XI. Geography, and the benefits of learning in all ages : also this question is determined, whether grace be essential to a minister of the Gospel? / by Edward Reyner ...

CHAP. IX. Of the Ʋsefulness of Geometry.

GEometry is of use to a Minister of the Gospel upon a threefold ac∣count:

First, For the explication of many pla∣ces in the Old Testament, especially those which treat

• I. Of Weights and Measures.
• II. Of Edifices and Buildings, and of their Proportions and Dimensions. As,
  • Of the Fabrick of Noah's Ark.
  • Of Moses's Tabernacle.
  • Of Solomon's Temple.
  • Of Ezekiel's Temple, chap. 40. and City, chap. 48.
  • Of the New Jerusalem, Revel. 21.

• ...
  • Of the Division of the Land of Ca∣naan among the Tribes, Psal. 78.55. Josh. 13.4.
  • And of several other particulars in Scripture, which are Geometrically described, or to which Dimensions are attributed.

I shall instance in two or three places, wherein the Spirit speaketh Geometrically, and cannot be understood without know∣ledge in the Mathematics:

1. * 1.1 About plain and superficial Measure in Ezek. 43.16. and most evidently in Ezek. 48.20. where he useth a circum∣locution, that he might by a Geometrical phrase, and a number multiplied by it self, viz. 25000 by 25000, intimate the Square and plain measure of a piece of Ground.

2. About solid Measure, Rev. 21.16. where he saith, The City was measured 12000 furlongs; the length, breadth, and heighth of it are equal. So that it is set down as a solid Cubical Figure, containing three Dimensions, and so onely to be measured by solid Measure: and then the compass of Ezekiel's City (namely, 1800 great Cubits) will be the compass of this new Jerusalem; for Brightman, Villal∣pandus, and others, make them both to be the same City.

Secondly, Geometry is an Help to the understanding of the Works of God, who hath ordered all things in number, measure, * 1.2 and weight.

Pondere, mensura, numero, Deus omnia fecit.

Geometry is conversant about Order, and Measure, or Commensuration; which two do so excel, as Plato saith, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. God doth alway play the Geometri∣cian; that is, he doth all, and every thing exactly, in order, as by Line and Measure: Or, as Plutarch interprets it, God doth, * 1.3 ratione, proportione, similitudine, omnes mundi partes exornare & dimetiri.

Etenim cum Deus (saith Pet. * 1.4 Ramus) immensitatis aeternae spacia definire statue∣ret, Geometria inprimis usus est, quae longi∣tudinem, latitudinem, profundorum spatia terminaret, omniumque symmetriam, rati∣onem, proportionem, similitudinem discer∣neret, quae aerem levitate sublime tolleret, a∣quam, terramque pondere deprimeret; quae denique coelestes globos ita tornaret, ut ad conversion is motum nihil rotundius effingi, nihil aptius expoliri posset. Itaque Mundi Architectus ille summus in fabricando ma∣chinandoque Universitatis Opisicio Geome∣triam inprimis adhibuit, neque Plato quid∣quam magnificentius locutus est, cum dixit, Deum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Thus Geometry conduceth much to the acknowledging and celebrating of the Wisdom and Power of God in his Works.

Thirdly, Arithmetic and Geometry are of good use to the fore-named Arts or Sci∣ences:

As, in Ethics, to understand what Vir∣tue is, which is said to consist in Propor∣tion: and what are the bounds or limits of Justice: that a Geometrical Proportion should be kept in Distributive Justice, and Arithmetical Proportion in Commutative Justice.

—Also in Physics, Astronomy, and Geogra∣phy.

Arithmetic and Geometry sunt duae illae alae Mathematicae, quibus Astronomi & Ge∣ographi alta & profunda pervolant. * 1.5 Of the Antiquity, Certainty, Jucundity, U∣tility of the Study of Geometry, see Alsted.

It is observed, the Patriarchs were Ma∣thematicians.

There may be use of Mathematics in handling Points of Divinity. Bradwar∣dine (the profound Doctor) made use of the Mathematics (wherein he excelled) of the Principles, Demonstrations, and Co∣rollaries or Conclusions thereof, * 1.6 in handling Theological Points.

—silo Mathematico Theologica contexit.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Dr. Potter, 666.
• * 1.2

  Wisdom 11 17
• * 1.3

  Octavo S••mp••s. 2. Problem.
• * 1.4

  In his Epistle before his gene∣ral Table of Geometry.
• * 1.5

  Alsted. Fury∣clop. Didact. cap. 7, & 8. pag. 126. in 4.
• * 1.6

  Sir Henry S••∣vile's Prelace before Brad∣wardine's 〈◊〉〈◊〉.