BUT supposing, at last, the _Case_ desperate, and past all REMEDY, through _Negligence_ or _Delay_, that the CURE cannot possibly be effected, nor the _Misfortune_ of _Instant_ ABORTION prevented; why then the _Woman_ ought to be carefully comforted and strengthened, the _Ligaments_ relaxed, the _Passages_ dilated, and the _expulsive Faculty_ assisted; so that the worse _Consequences_ and greater _Danger_ may be averted. AND having now, in fine, thus at large treated upon the Subject of ABORTION, it leads me methodically (of Course) to touch upon all other BIRTHS respecting _Time_; I mean _Legitimate_ and _Illegitimate_ BIRTHS: Which (however) I shall discuss in as _Succinct Terms_ as I can, to oblige the READER. And _first_, [Illustration] CHAP. XXXI. _Of a LEGITIMATE BIRTH._ A _Legitimate_ _BIRTH_ respects TIME only, and that is properly so called, which most frequently happens, according to the _Common Law_ of NATURE. IT is never sufficiently to be admired as _Wonderful_, that MAN, who is born _HEREDITARY LORD_ of the _Universe_, and invested with _SUPREME DOMINION_ over all _Creatures_, should, however yet, be the only one deprived of some certain _definite Time_ for his _BIRTH_[108]; it happening often in the _seventh_, commonly in the _ninth_ and _tenth_, and sometimes in the _eighth_ and _eleventh Months_, and _That_ also at all Times of the Year: Whereas, on the other hand, all the rest of _inferiour Creatures_ have their certain _prefixed Times_, both of _carrying_ their _YOUNG_, and _bringing them forth_, beyond which they cannot go, nor controul the Order of _NATURE_. HOWEVER, this being the _Good Work_ and _Will_ of the Great _CREATOR_, deserves more our silent _Wonder_ and _Admiration_, than our bold _Enquiry_, or curious _Scrutiny_, into the _REASON_ of it. BUT notwithstanding, I hope, we may easily account for the _Latitude_ of _TIME_ allowed our _Births_, when we consider what has been said of the Times of _Formation_ and _Animation_ in their proper Places[109]. If then these require a proportionable _Latitude_, what wonder is it that the _Legitimate Time_ of Birth is of such _Extent_? Not that I mean that the _rational Soul_ is introduced either at different Times, or by Piece-meals, only that it is not _done_ this or that Day _precisely_. And farther (according to _AVERROES_, that great _Commentator_) _Man_[110], not only in the Womb, but also after Birth, even until his _Juvenile Age_, is but _a-generating_; and from that Time to old Age he begins to _decline_: yet we daily see that _this Change_ is not equal to all, in that some Men do but arrive to their most robust and _vigorous State_ about the fortieth Year of their Age, whereas others come to that Length about the thirtieth, and most about the thirty-fifth.