AND again, this Number Ten is reckoned a Compleat and Universal Number in all Sciences; because we cannot account beyond it, but by Replication, a Re-assumption of the Unit, or Repetition of the Nine Figures, to perfect the Progression. But farther still, to denote the Excellency and Perfection of this Month, there are Ten Singers of Psalms mentioned in Holy Scripture; namely, ADAM, ABRAHAM, MELCHISEDECH, MOSES, ASAPH, DAVID, SOLOMON, and the three Sons of CHORAH: Ten Musical Instruments: Ten Strings in the Psaltery: Ten Curtains in the Temple: Ten Commandments instituted and given directly by God himself: And, in fine, the Tenth Day after Ascension the HOLY GHOST came down, &c.

THERE are besides also Ten Parts, of which Man himself consists intrinsically; viz. the Spirit, Brain, Lungs, Heart, Liver, Gall, Spleen, Kidneys, Testicles, and Matrix: And likewise Ten Simple Integral Parts constituting the Man, to wit, Bone, Cartilage, Nerve, Fibre, Ligament, Artery, Vein, Membrane, Flesh, and Skin. In short just so, after this manner, there are Ten Months required to form and maturate the MAN, in the substantial Completion of These to Perfection.

BUT, after All, lest I should be thought, by this way of Reasoning on the Numbers of the MONTHS, to vend some fictitious Notions for mechanical Causes, or vain Fictions for the Laws of Nature, I shall in this Place, to avoid that Censure or Reproach, make a small Digression, and that upon NUMBERS in general.

FIRST then, I think it appears very Plain from the Three preceding Chapters, that NUMBERS are of a certain wonderful Efficacy and Virtue even in Supernaturals.

SECONDLY, In Natural Things also the Virtues of NUMBERS (so mystically constituted and mysteriously intended) are conspicuously manifest: As is evident in the Herb, call’d Pentaphyllon, which is said to resist Poisons by Virtue of Number FIVE; as one Leaf of it taken twice a day in Wine, cures the Quotidian; three, the Tertian; and four, the Quartan Fever. So likewise in the Herb Heliotropium Tricoccon[[127]], three Grains whereof cures the Tertian: and four, the Quartan Ague. In like manner, as a Serpent, if struck Once with a Spear, dies; but if Twice, is said to recover Strength. So much for the Curious.

HOWEVER, These and many other Things might be mentioned, both in Natural, and Supernatural Beings, upon the wonderful Power and Efficacy of NUMBERS: Which plausible Doctrine not only the most Eminent Philosophers, but also the most Learned Catholick DOCTORS, namely, St. Jerom, Austin, Origen, Ambrose, Athanasius, &c. All unanimously teach; as well as the most famous Dr. Rabanus (Archbishop of Mentz) who in his Time compos’d an excellent Book to this purpose chiefly upon the Virtues of Numbers.

BUT notwithstanding all This, I am far from believing that there is any peculiar Virtue in NUMBERS, considered abstractedly: Only, I would hereby demonstrate, that as the Omniscient CREATOR has appointed every thing a certain TIME for its Production, Augmentation, Perfection, Declension, and Duration; so in all probability, the same Decree or Good-Will of Divine Providence may have ordered NUMBERS, and Sett-Days or Times to concur with the apparent Necessity of Corporeal, Natural, and Mechanical Causes. For in Truth, at last, I cannot think that, unless there had been some great and distinct Mysterys of GOD and Nature comprehended in NUMBERS, the Great Divine[[128]] would otherwise have recommended That Search to the World of Understanding to count the NUMBER of the Beast: saying, It is the Number of a Man. But to proceed:

CHAP. XXXVII.
Of an Eleven-Months, and all posteriour BIRTHS.

As to this Month, many Authors[[129]] agree to legitimate its BIRTH; because of several repeated Instances that really happen’d in their Days: To which I can add ONE of my own proper Experience, during my itinerant Practice in the City of Prague. Where, as I came recommended to the Acquaintance of some Eminent Physicians of the Place, I happen’d once to be call’d (by one of them) to a Lady in Labour; whom I had the good Fortune to deliver immediately, of a fine, lusty, and lively Girl. After which, I had the Honour to attend her in Child-Bed; I mean, to visit and prescribe for her, by the concurring Advice of my Honoured Friend (the most Learned and Ingenious Dr. Von Overberg, who was her near Relation) in order to prevent some Disasters under which she had formerly suffer’d on the like Occasion. Upon This, she was pleas’d to tell me out of her own Mouth, that, before the Day of her Delivery, her Husband, (who was a Colonel in the Imperial Service) had been gone to the Army, then in Sicily, Ten Months and two Days; so that this Proculean Child was born (at soonest) the Third Day of the Eleventh Month. And in this Case, I dare say, I was no ways mistaken, or impos’d upon; that Lady being endued with no less true Honour and strict Virtue, than she was otherways deservedly esteem’d, of a singular good Character, and great Distinction in that Place.