The Complete Angler. 15 



none that deferve commendation 

 but may be juftified. 



And now having faid this much 

 by way of preparation, I am next 

 to tell you, that in ancient times a 

 debate hath rifen, (and itis notyet 

 refolved) Whether Contemplation 

 o>rA5lion be the chiefeft thing wher- 

 inthehappinefs of a man doth moil 

 confift in this world ? 



Concerning which, fome have 

 maintained their opinion of the firft, 

 by faying, "[ That the nearer we 

 "Mortals come to God by way of 

 "imitation, the more happy we 

 "are:] And that God injoyeshim- 

 felf only by Contemplation of his 

 own Goodnefs, Eternity, Infinitenefs, 

 and Power, and the like; and upon 

 this ground many of them prefer 

 Contemplation before ASlion : and 

 indeed, manyoftheFathersfeemto 

 approve this opinion, as may ap- 

 pear in their Comments upon the ^ , 

 words of our Saviour to * Mart ha. 4 i ?42 . 



And 



