_Fronte capillata, post est Occasio calva._
IV. SHE ought to be a true _Fearer_ of GOD, a _Conscientious_ Person, of good _Life_ and _Conversation_: Since Matters of the greatest _Moment_ are committed to her _Care_; and depend entirely upon the faithful _Discharge_ of her Duty: For _she_ has the first and best _Opportunity_ of shewing her _Compassion_, and _Tenderness_ to Mankind, in this _Infant_ and _Helpless State_. In short, CHARITY ought always to engage her, to be as ready to help the _Poor_ as the _Rich_; the LIFE of the _One_ being as Dear as the _Other’s_, and the _Image_ of GOD being equally stamp’d upon _Both_: For the ineffable _Recompence_ of CHARITY far exceeds all other _Considerations_ of trifling GAIN.
V. SHE ought to be _Patient_ and _Pleasant_; _Soft_, _Meek_, and _Mild_ in her _Temper_, in order to encourage and comfort the _labouring Woman_. SHE should pass by and forgive her small _Failings_, and peevish _Faults_, instructing her gently when she _does_ or says _amiss_: But if she will not follow _Advice_, and Necessity require, the MIDWIFE ought to reprimand and put her smartly in mind of her _Duty_; yet always in such a manner, however, as to encourage her with the _Hopes_ of a happy and speedy DELIVERY.
VI. IN like manner as she ought to be _Modest_, _Temperate_, and _Sober_, so she ought to be _Faithful_ and _Silent_; always upon her _Guard_ to conceal those Things, which ought not to be spoken of.
THESE, in fine, are the chief of the natural _Qualities_ requisite for _MIDWIFERY_; from whence I come to the _Theoretical_ and _Practical Part_, without which all _Others_ are (in effect) Nothing to the Purpose.
CHAP. III. _Of the THEORETICAL and PRACTICAL Knowledge of the MIDWIFE._
SHE, who finds herself thus (properly) adapted both in _Body_ and _Mind_, according to the _Rules_ of the preceding _Chapter_, does a Good and Laudable Work, if she also studies to _qualify_ herself well, _first_ in the _THEORY_, and then in the _PRACTICE_ of _Midwifery_.
WHICH, in order that she may most easily and accurately do, I shall reduce the whole _Theoretical Part_ (absolutely necessary) to the following _Seven general Heads_; of Which she ought not only to have a general and superficial, but also a distinct, special, and perfect _Knowledge_; viz.