Chapter 85.—The Case of
Abortive Conceptions.
Hence in the first place arises a
question about abortive conceptions, which have indeed been born in
the mother’s womb, but not so born that they could be born again.
For if we shall decide that these are to rise again, we cannot
object to any conclusion that may be drawn in regard to those which
are fully formed. Now who is there that is not rather disposed to
think that unformed abortions perish, like seeds that have never
fructified? But who will dare to deny, though he may not dare to
affirm, that at the resurrection every defect in the form shall be
supplied, and that thus the perfection which time would have
brought shall not be wanting, any more than the blemishes which
time did bring shall be present: so that the nature shall neither
want anything suitable and in harmony with it that length of days
would have added, nor be debased by the presence of anything of an
opposite kind that length of days has added; but that what is not
yet complete shall be completed, just as what has been injured
shall be renewed.