36 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART i. 



exposed to become a prey and be devoured by vermin, or other 

 fishes; but other fishes, as namely the barbel, take such care 

 for the preservation of their seed, that unlike to the cock or the 

 cuckoo, they mutually labour, both the spavvner and the melter, 

 to cover the spawn with sand, or watch it, or hide it in some 

 secret place, unfrequented by vermin or any fish but them- 

 selves. 



Sir, these examples may to you and others seem strange, but 

 they are testified, some by Aristotle, some by Pliny, some by 

 Gesner, and by many others of credit ; and are believed and 

 known by divers both of wisdom and experience, to be a truth ; 

 and indeed are, as I said at the beginning, fit for the contem- 

 plation of a most serious and a most pious man. And doubt- 

 less this made the prophet David say, " They that occupy 

 themselves in deep waters see the wonderful works of God:" 

 indeed such wonders and pleasures too, as the land affords 

 not. 



And that they be fit for the contemplation of thprnost prudent 

 atid pious and peaceable men, seems to be testified by the 

 prarHr^ of so mnriY fk vr " 1f or>rl rojifprnplntivfi men, ns the 

 patriarchs and prophets of old ; and of the apostles of our 

 Saviour in our latter times, of which twelve, we are sure he 

 chose four f]->nf VVPI-P sirr^plp fkl^rm^n^wjinrn he inspired and 

 sMi_tt pnhljgh-JijQ frj^gH w ;n fo th<* Gentiles ; and inspired 

 them also__with a power to speak all Ianguafres 7 and by their 

 powerful elflqu^acjo beget faith i jn_tIie_jLiriblievin4> Jews; and 

 themselves to suffer for that Saviour whom their forefathers and 

 they had crucified ; and, in their sufferings, to preach freedom 

 from the encumbrances of the law, and a new way to everlasting 

 life: this was the employment of these happy fishermen. Con- 

 cerning which choice some have made these observations. 



First, That he never reproved these for their employment 

 or calling as he did scribes and the money-changers. And 

 secondly, he found that the hearts of such men by nature 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 



S* V 



