Works › The Mariale: Questions on “Missus est”
Volume 37 · p. 164
Question 107. Whether she knew Arithmetic?
QUAESTIO CVII. Utrum sciverit Arithmeticam?
Post haec quaeritur de arithmetica quae est de numeris.
1. Numeri in sacra Scriptura sunt mystici, et secundum diversitatem numerorum diversa per eos signantur, ut patet in ternario, senario, et denario, et hujusmodi, ut patet in multis Scripturis et Glossis. Ergo cognitio numerorum necessaria est in sacra Scriptura: ergo arithmetica.
2. Item, Computationes annorum fiunt saepe in sacris Scripturis, ut de Jacob, de Isaac, et sic de aliis: ergo scientia algorismi necessaria est ad sacram Scripturam.
3. Item, Festa diversa aguntur et in Scriptura agi describuntur, ad quae necessaria est scientia Computi: ergo et illa necessaria est ad sacram Scripturam.
Ex his igitur manifestum est, quod scientia arithmeticae utilis et necessaria est theologiae: ergo fuit in beata Virgine 1.
QUESTION 107. Whether she knew Arithmetic?
After this inquiry is made about arithmetic, which concerns numbers.
1. Numbers in sacred Scripture are mystical, and according to the diversity of numbers diverse things are signified through them, as is clear in the number three, the number six, and the number ten, and things of this kind, as is clear in many Scriptures and Glosses. Therefore knowledge of numbers is necessary in sacred Scripture. Therefore arithmetic is necessary.
2. Likewise, computations of years are often made in sacred Scriptures, as concerning Jacob, concerning Isaac, and so concerning others. Therefore the science of algorism is necessary for sacred Scripture.
3. Likewise, diverse feasts are observed and are described in Scripture as being observed, for which the science of Computus is necessary. Therefore that too is necessary for sacred Scripture.
From these things therefore it is manifest that the science of arithmetic is useful and necessary for theology. Therefore it was in the blessed Virgin 1.
Notes
- For the solution of the objections, see below after Question CXI. (Pro solutione objectorum, vide infra post Quaest. CXI.) ↩
If a page does not appear, its photograph has not been uploaded yet.