Fishing. 191 



all the other apostles after they betook themselves to 

 follow Christ, betook themselves to be fishermen too : 

 for it is certain that the greater number of them were 

 found together fishing by Jesus after his resurrection, 

 as it is recorded in the 21st chapter of St. John's Gos- 

 pel, V. 3, 4. This was the employment of these happy 

 fishermen, concerning which choice some have made 

 these observations : first that he never reproved these 

 for their employment or calling as he did the scribes 

 and the money-changers ; and secondly, he found that 

 the hearts of such men were fitted for contemplation 

 and quietness, men of mild, and sweet, and peaceable 

 spirits, as indeed most anglers are ; these men our 

 blessed Saviour, who is observed to love to plant grace 

 in good natures, though indeed nothing be too hard for 

 him, yet these men he chose to call from their irreprov- 

 able employment of fishing and gave them grace to be 

 his disciples and to follow him and do wonders. I say 

 four of twelve." 



There I think we may safely rest the defence of our 

 favorite sport, especially upon secondly ; for it is all 

 very well to say animals must be slain that we may live, 

 and yet it does not give one a high idea of the fineness 

 of the man who chooses the occupation of a butcher, 

 and is happiest when he is killing something. Blood ! 

 lago, blood ! For my part, while recognizing the neces- 

 sity that the sheep should bleat for the lamb slain that I 

 may feast, I don't profess to see that the arrangement 



