1. Number the simplest and most universal idea.
Amongst all the ideas we have, as there is none suggested to the
mind by more ways, so there is none more simple, than that of unity, or one: it has no shadow of variety or
composition in it: every object our senses are employed about; every idea in our understandings; every thought of
our minds, brings this idea along with it. And therefore it is the most intimate to our thoughts, as well as it is, in its
agreement to all other things, the most universal idea we have. For number applies itself to men, angels, actions,
thoughts; everything that either doth exist, or can be imagined.
