THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART I. 



the Barbel, take such care for the preservation of their 

 seed, that (unlike to the Cock, or the Cuckoo) they 

 mutually labour, 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, " 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 Jit for the contem- 

 plation of the most prudent, 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 unbeliev- 

 ing Jews; and, themselves to suffer for that Saviour 

 whom their forefathers and they had crucified; and, in 

 their sufferings, to preach freedom from the incum- 

 brances 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 employ- 

 ment or calling, as he did the Scribes and the Money- 

 changers. And secondly, he found that the hearts of 



