30 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



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 clois- 

 teral men of great learning and devotion, prefer contempla- 

 tion 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 autho- 

 rity 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 

 e"ach 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 niaiiitainer of human society ; and for 

 these, and other like reasons, to be preferred before con- 

 templation. 



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 not properly belong to the most honest, 

 ingenious, 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 Peter Du Moulin," 7 * 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 minds in a quiet repose, and there make 

 them fit for revelation. 



And this seems also to be intimated by the Children of 

 Israel (Psal. cxxxvii.),t who having in a sad condition banished 

 all mirth and music from their pensive hearts, and having 

 hung up their then mute harps upon the willow-trees grow- 



* An ancient prebendary of Canterbury, and author of several pieces in the 

 liomish controversy. II. 



t " By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we 

 remembered Zion. AVe hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst 

 thereof." (Psalm cxxxvii. 1,2.) 



