writing of the Hebrews is of all the moſt ſacred in the figures of Characters, points of vowels, and tops of accents, as conſiſting in matter, form, and ſpirit.
The poſition of the Stars being firct made in the ſeat of God, which is heaven, after the figure, of them (as the maſters of the Hebrews teſtifie) are moſt fully formed the letters of the Celeſtiall myſteries, as by their figure, form, and ſignification, ſo by the numbers ſignified by them, as alſo by their various harmony of their conjunction. Whence the more curious Mecubals of the Hebrews do undertake by the figure of their letters, the forms of Characters, and their ſignature, ſimpleness, compoſition, ſeparation, crookedneſs, directneſs, deſect, abounding, greatneſs, litleness, crowning opening, ſhutting, order, tranſmutation, joyning together, revolution of letters, and of points, and tops, and by the ſupputation of numbers by the letters of things ſignified to explain all things, how they proceed from the firſt cauſe, and are again to be reduced into the ſame. Moreover they divide the letters of their Hebrew Alphabet, viz. into twelve ſimple, ſeven double, and three mothers, which they ſay ſignifie as Characters of things, the twelve Signs, ſeven Planets, and three Elements, viz. Fire, Water, and Earth, for they account Aire no Element, but as the glew, and ſpirit of the Elements. To theſe alſo they appoint points, and tops: As therefore by the aſpects of Planets, and Signs, together with the Elements, the working ſpirit, and truth all things have been, and are brought forth, ſo by theſe Characters of letters, and points, ſignifying thoſe things that are brought forth, the names of all things are appointed, as certain Signs, and vehicula's of things explained carrying with them every where their eſſence, and vertues. The proſound meanings, and Signs are inherent in thoſe Characters, and figures of them, as alſo numbers, place, order, and revolution; ſo that Origenes therefore thought that thoſe names being tranſlated into another Idiome, do not retain their proper vertue. For only originall names, which are rightly impoſed, because they ſignify naturally, have a naturall activity. It is not ſo with them which ſignifie at pleaſure, which have no
