THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART I. 



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 ap- 

 plication 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 human 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, 

 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 contemplation, but will invite an angler to it ; 

 and this seems to be maintained by the learned Peter du 

 Moulin, 1 who, in his discourse of the fulfilling of Prophe- 

 cies, 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 cf the world, he might settle 



(I) Dr. Peter du Moulin, Prel>em<ary of Canterbury, and author of several 

 piece* in the Romish controversy. 



