CHAP. I.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 6$ 



and 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 labor, both the spawner and the 

 melter, to cover their spawn with sand, or watch it, or hide it 

 in some secret place, unfrequented by vermin or by any fish 

 but themselves. 



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 

 contemplation of a most serious and a most pious man. And, 

 doubtless, this made the Prophet David say, Psal. cvii. 23, 

 24, "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 the most pru- 

 dent, and pious, and peaceable men, seems to be testified by 

 the practice of so many devout and contemplative men, as 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 that were simple Fishermen, whom he inspired and 

 sent to publish his blessed will to the Gentiles, and inspired 

 them also with a power to speak all languages, and by their 

 powerful eloquence to beget faith in the unbelieving Jews, and 

 themselves to suffer for that Saviour whom their forefathers and 

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

 from the incumbrances of the law, and a new way to everlast- 

 ing life. This was the employment of these happy Fishermen, 

 concerning which choice some have made these observations. 



First, that te never reproved these for their employment or 

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

 ondly, he found that the hearts of such men by nature were 

 fitted for contemplation and quietness ; men of mild, and sweet, 



