Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/305

 Maintenance of their common Family, which cannot ubit till they are able to prey for themelves, but by the joint Care of Male and Female. The ame is to be oberved in all Birds (except ome dometick ones, where plenty of Food excues the Cock from feeding and taking care of the Young Brood) whoe Young needing Food in the Net, the Cock and Hen continue Mates till the Young are able to ue their Wing, and provide for themelves.

And herein I think lies the chief, if not the only reaon, why the Male and Female in Mankind are tyed to a longer Conjunction than other Creatures, viz. Becaue the Female is capable of conceiving, and de facto is commonly with Child again, and brings forth to a new Birth long before the former is out of a Dependency for Support on his Parents help, and able to hift for himelf, and has all the Aitance is due to him from his Parents, whereby the Father, who is bound to take care for thoe he hath begot, is under an Obligation to continue in Conjugal Society with the ame Woman longer than other Creatures, whoe Young