chap, xxi.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 249 



thankful. Nay, which is a far greater mercy, we 

 are free from the unsupportable burthen of an ac- 

 cusing tormenting conscience ; a misery that none 

 can bear : and therefore let us praise Him for his 

 preventing grace, and say, Every misery that I 

 miss is a new mercy. Nay, let me tell you, there be 

 many that have forty times our estates, that would 

 give the greatest part of it to be healthful and 

 cheerful like us ; who, with the expense of a little 

 money have eat and drank, and laughed, and angled, 

 and sung, and slept securely ; and rose next day, 

 and cast away care, and sung, and laughed, and 

 angled again ; which are blessings rich men cannot 

 purchase with all their money. Let me tell you, 

 Scholar, I have a rich neighbour, that is always so 

 busy that he has no leisure to laugh : the whole 

 business of his life is to get money, and more mo- 

 ney, that he may still get more and more money ; 

 he is still drudging on, and says, that Solomon says, 

 " The diligent hand maketh rich ; " and it is true 

 indeed : but he considers not that 'tis not in the 

 power of riches to make a man happy ; for it was 

 wisely said, by a man of great observation, " That 

 " there be as many miseries beyond riches, as on 

 " this side them." And yet God deliver us from 

 pinching poverty ; and grant, that having a compe- 

 tency, we may be content and thankful. Let not 

 us repine, or so much as think the gifts of God un- 

 equally dealt, if we see another abound with riches ; 

 when, as God knows, the cares that are the keys 



