A CONFERENCE BETWIXT 



hath risen, and it remains yet unresolved, whether the happiness 

 of man in this world, doth consist more in contemplation or 

 action. 



Concerning which some have endeavoured to maintain their 

 opinion of the first, by saying, that the nearer we mortals come 

 to God by way of imitation, the more happy we are. And they 

 say, that God enjoys himself only by a contemplation of his own 

 Infiniteness, Eternity, Power and Goodness, and the like. And 

 upon this ground, many cloisteral men of great learning and 

 devotion, prefer contemplation before action. And many of 

 the fathers seem to approve this opinion, as may appear in 

 their commentaries upon the words of our Saviour to Martha, 

 Luke x. 41, 42. 



And on the contrary there want not men of equal authority 

 and credit, that prefer action to be the more excellent; as 

 namely experiments in physic, and the application of it, both 

 for the ease and prolongation of man's life ; by which each man 

 is enabled to act and do good to others; either to serve his 

 country, or do good to particular persons; and they say also, 

 that action is doctrinal, and teaches both art and virtue, and is 

 a maintainer of humane society ; and for these, and other like 

 reasons to be preferred before contemplation. 



Concerning which two opinions I shall forbear to add a 

 third by declaring my own, and rest myself contented in telling 

 you, my very worthy friend, that both these meet together, and 

 do most properly belong to the most honest, ingenuous, quiet, 

 and harmless art of Angling. 



And first, I shall tell you what some have observed, and I 

 have found it to be a real truth, that the very sitting by the 

 river's side is not only the quietest and fittest place for con- 

 templation, but will invite an Angler to it : and this seems to be 

 maintained by the learned Pet. Du Moulin, who in his discourse 

 of the fulfilling of prophecies, observes, that when God intended 

 to reveal any future events or high notions to his prophets, he 

 then carried them either to the deserts or the sea-shore, that 

 having so separated them from amidst the press of people and 

 business, and the cares of the world, he might settle their mind 

 in a quiet repose, and there make them fit for revelation. 



And this seems also to be intimated by the Children of 

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