xl 



plate the beautiful creation, and meditate our pre- 

 sent and eternal future state ; so with a holy and 

 reverential fear, call to mind the Creator and Ori- 

 ginal of all things, through whose wisdom kings 

 rule, and princes decree justice ? But doubting 

 some may want other moral inducements, to such 

 I have brought a glass of morality, wherein they 

 may view the world's state of inconstancy ; but to 

 the more religious and contemplative angler, a 

 model of piety, (Jacob will struggle hard for a 

 Messing,) where he may see the inamour'd and 

 seraphick soul surmount the cctlier, whilst earth- 

 worms like otters prey below upon fish. 



Now to such as love travel, I have brought 

 them history, but to such others as love fish and 

 pleasant waters, my Treatise : for the studious 

 geographer, liere are cities and countries ; but for 

 the active engineer, castles and citadels. Should 

 thy fancy be mean, here are shallow brooks ; deep 

 rivers require the skilful art of swimming. Thus 

 my book seems a mart, where a man may trade 

 for trifles, or merchandise for things of greater 

 value. The world is all purchase, and death the 

 pay-master. Think not, therefore, to naturalize 

 earth into heaven, since every thing adheres and 

 partakes of its own nature. I advise, therefore, 

 the lovers of a solitary life, to study sobriety, tem- 

 perance, patience, and chastity ; for these divine 

 blessings are the gift of God, So is contempla- 



13 



