HOWEVER I know, some _Chirurgeon-Practitioners_ are too much acquainted with the _Use_ of _INSTRUMENTS_, to lay them aside; no, they do not (it may be) think themselves in their _Duty_, or proper _Office_, if they have not their cruel _Accoutrements_ in Hand: And what is most unaccountable and unbecoming a _Christian_, is that, when they have perhaps wounded the _MOTHER_, kill’d the _INFANT_, and with violent _Torture_ and inexpressible _Pain_, drawn it out by _Piece-meal_, they think no _Reward_ sufficient for such an extraordinary Piece of mangled Work.
BUT, in short, I would advise such to practise _Butchery_ rather than _MIDWIFERY_; for in _that Case_, they could _sell_ what they _slay_; but in _this_, by _handling_ MAN so, they only bring _Infamy_ upon their _Profession_, and expose it to the _Contempt_ and _Hatred_ of OTHERS.
COVETOUSNESS is the blackest of _Vices_, and in this _Case_ (I am sure) it is an unpardonable SIN, to thirst after sordid _Lucre_ for procuring the _Health_ or preserving the _Life_ of our Neighbour; as, I doubt, is but too common among some mercenary People: Who (as we have been creditably inform’d) have refus’d to take _Women_ in Hand at the very Point of Extremity or Time of Need, before a certain SUM of _Money_ was first deposited; tho’ perhaps borrow’d upon _Pledge_, or collected amongst their charitable _Neighbours_ for GOD’Ssake.
I do not say however, but that the _Workman_ is worthy of his _Reward_, and _That_ which ought to be paid according to the _Merit_ and _Dignity_ of his Performance; not according to the _Time_ he spends about it, as hired _Labourers_ are paid their WAGES: No, that fruitless _Labour_ would not be worth while; no _Gentleman_ would undertake MIDWIFERY upon such unprofitable _Terms_: For as it is in his Power to save the _Life_ of the MOTHER, or the INFANT, or _Both_, (which he often does effectually) _He_ undoubtedly deserves an extraordinary _Recompence_ worthy of so great and good a PIECE of SERVICE.
BUT notwithstanding all This, an extravagant _Price_ is not to be arbitrarily demanded, nor ought the Reward to exceed the _Ability_ of the _PATIENT_; neither are _Those_ to be forsaken or left destitute of _Help_, and expos’d to imminent _Danger_, at all Hazards of _Life_, who cannot afford us MONEY: But rather (on the contrary) they are to be forthwith taken in Hand chearfully, attended by Night or Day diligently, and a trifle of MONEY _given_ (by us) rather than _taken_ from them, when our _Fellow-Christian_’s Circumstances so require it. For _this_ is the right way to secure GOD’S _Blessing_ to _Ourselves_, and _Success_ to all our _Endeavours_.