Friedrich Smend discovered a remarkable numbersymbolism in the works of Bach. In 1947 he published articles in which he said Bach had used a code based on the numbers of the characters in the alphabet: a=1, b=2 etc. In the old Latin alphabet the characters i and j are identical and so are the u and v, resuting in z=24. In this code BACH is represented by 14 (2+1+3+8), CHRISTUS by 112 and CREDO by 43. Smend found the Credo of the Mass in B minor had 784 (7x112) measures. This could mean 7 cries for Christ. In the same work the choir 'Credo in unum Deum' plus 'Patrem omnipotentem' had 129 measures. That is 3x43, so 'Credo, credo, credo'. The 3 may stand for the the Holy Trinity. There are some more examples of numbersymbolism.
Kees van Houten en Marinus Kasbergen have gone too far. In their book 'Bach en het getal' they have many more examples of numbersymbolism, but though entertaining to read they are scientifically not sound, as they are not found by a consequent procedure.
However, it is for sure Bach was capable of sticking to strict rules and still making moving nice music.