Of the Picture of _Adam_ and _Eve_ with Navels.
Another mistake there may be in the Picture of our first Parents, who
after the manner of their posterity are both delineated with a Navel.
And this is observable not only in ordinary and stained pieces, but in
the Authentick draughts of _Urbin_, _Angelo_ and others. Which
notwithstanding cannot be allowed, except we impute that unto the first
cause, which we impose not on the second; or what we deny unto nature,
we impute unto Naturity it self; that is, that in the first and most
accomplished piece, the Creator affected superfluities, or ordained
parts without use or office.
[Sidenote: _What the Navel is, and for what use._]
For the use of the Navel is to continue the Infant unto the Mother, and
by the vessels thereof to convey its aliment and sustentation. The
vessels whereof it consisteth, are the umbilical vein, which is a branch
of the Porta, and implanted in the Liver of the Infant; two Arteries
likewise arising from the Iliacal branches, by which the Infant
receiveth the purer portion of blood and spirits from the mother; and
lastly, the Urachos or ligamental passage derived from the bottom of the
bladder, whereby it dischargeth the waterish and urinary part of its
aliment. Now upon the birth, when the Infant forsaketh the womb,
although it dilacerate, and break the involving membranes, yet do these
vessels hold, and by the mediation thereof the Infant is connected unto
the womb, not only before, but a while also after the birth. These
therefore the midwife cutteth off, contriving them into a knot close
unto the body of the Infant; from whence ensueth that tortuosity or
complicated modosity we usually call the Navel; occasioned by the
colligation of vessels before mentioned. [SN: _That_ Adam _and_ Eve _had
not Navels_.] Now the Navel being a part, not precedent, but subsequent
unto generation, nativity or parturition, it cannot be well imagined at
the creation or extraordinary formation of _Adam_, who immediately
issued from the Artifice of God; nor also that of _Eve_; who was not
solemnly begotten, but suddenly framed, and anomalously proceeded from
_Adam_.
And if we be led into conclusions that _Adam_ had also this part,
because we behold the same in our selves, the inference is not
reasonable; for if we conceive the way of his formation, or of the first
animals, did carry in all points a strict conformity unto succeeding
productions, we might fall into imaginations that _Adam_ was made
without Teeth; or that he ran through those notable alterations in the
vessels of the heart, which the Infant suffereth after birth: we need
not dispute whether the egg or bird were first; and might conceive that
Dogs were created blind, because we observe they are littered so with
us. Which to affirm, is to confound, at least to regulate creation unto
generation, the first Acts of God, unto the second of Nature; which were
determined in that general indulgence, Encrease and Multiply, produce or
propagate each other; that is, not answerably in all points, but in a
prolonged method according to seminal progression. For the formation of
things at first was different from their generation after; and although
it had nothing to precede it, was aptly contrived for that which should
succeed it. And therefore though _Adam_ were framed without this part,
as having no other womb than that of his proper principles, yet was not
his posterity without the same: for the seminality of his fabrick
contained the power thereof; and was endued with the science of those
parts whose predestinations upon succession it did accomplish.
All the Navel therefore and conjunctive part we can suppose in _Adam_,
was his dependency on his Maker, and the connexion he must needs have
unto heaven, who was the Son of God. For holding no dependence on any
preceding efficient but God; in the act of his production there may be
conceived some connexion, and _Adam_ to have been in a momental Navel
with his Maker. And although from his carnality and corporal existence,
the conjunction seemeth no nearer than of causality and effect; yet in
his immortal and diviner part he seemed to hold a nearer coherence, and
an umbilicality even with God himself. And so indeed although the
propriety of this part be found but in some animals, and many species
there are which have no Navel at all; yet is there one link and common
connexion, one general ligament, and necessary obligation of all what
ever unto God. Whereby although they act themselves at distance, and
seem to be at loose; yet do they hold a continuity with their Maker.
Which catenation or conserving union when ever his pleasure shall
divide, let go, or separate, they shall fall from their existence,
essence, and operations: in brief, they must retire unto their primitive
nothing, and shrink into their Chaos again.
They who hold the egg was before the Bird, prevent this doubt in many
other animals, which also extendeth unto them: For birds are nourished
by umbilical vessels, and the Navel is manifest sometimes a day or two
after exclusion. The same is probable in oviparous exclusions, if the
lesser part of eggs must serve for the formation, the greater part for
nutriment. The same is made out in the eggs of Snakes; and is not
improbable in the generation of Porwiggles or Tadpoles, and may be also
true in some vermiparous exclusions: although (as we have observed in
the daily progress in some) the whole Maggot is little enough to make a
Fly, without any part remaining.