AS an Illegitimate BIRTH also respects TIME, so That is only to be call’d so, which happens before or after the TIME instituted by the Law of Nature. Hence all unhappy ABORTIONS belong to this Head; which being largely handled (apart) in the Chapter just aforegoing, I shall only here cursorily touch upon That, which (in a distinct sense) is accounted an Illegitimate BIRTH.
THAT I may the better define This Sort of BIRTH, I shall first observe, that Nature has instituted Nothing rashly, nor in vain, neither does it ever act by Chance. She having then limited a certain Time (however at large) within which all Legitimate BIRTHS happen, and all vital Children are born; of consequence, whatever happens before or after that Time, is an Illegitimate BIRTH, and seldom or never produces a Living or Lively Child.
HOWEVER, Vallesius[113], Cardanus[114], and some Others relate divers strange Precedents, and affirm that they have known and seen Children born in the fifth and sixth Months, which have liv’d to the Years of Discretion; It is notwithstanding my Opinion, that Those great Men giving ear to the frivolous Relations and idle Reports of simple Women, have suffer’d their Credulity to impose so far upon their better Judgments. And I am besides the more induc’d to think so, because since Their days, we have not heard of any one Example of this wonderful Kind, which deserv’d the least Notice or Credit.
BUT there are Others again; who (in a manner) ridiculing these Instances, fall into grosser Absurditys themselves; denying the Legitimacy of a seven or eight-Months BIRTH; yea, Some even of a Ten Months, after the Tenth Day, as well as of all posteriour BIRTHS. Upon which erroneous Mistakes, (if it may be without Offence permitted) I would freely offer my simple Judgment, in manner following: and thereupon, First,