CHAP. XXI. THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 233 



health and plenty; but a wife that nature had made pee- 

 vish, and her husband's riches had made purse-proud ; 

 and must, because she was rich, and for no other virtue, 

 sit in the highest pew in the church ; which being denied 

 her, she engaged her husband into a contention for it, 

 and at last into a law-suit with a dogged neighbour who 

 was as rich as he, and had a wife as peevish and purse- 

 proud as the other : and this law-suit begot higher oppo- 

 sitions, and actionable words, and more vexations and 

 law-suits ; for you must remember that both were rich, and 

 must therefore have their wills. Well! this wilful, purse- 

 proud law-suit lasted during the life of the first husband; 

 after which his wife vexed and chid, and chid and vexed, 

 till she also chid and vexed herself into her grave: and so 

 the wealth of these poor rich people was curst into a pu- 

 nishment, because they wanted meek and thankful hearts; 

 for those only can make us happy. I knew a man that 

 had health and riches; and several houses, all beautiful, 

 and ready furnished; and would often trouble himself 

 and family to be removing from one house to another: 

 and being asked by a friend why he removed so often 

 from one house to another, replied, " It was to find con- 

 tent in some one of them." But his friend, knowing his 

 temper, told him, If he would find content in any of his 

 houses, he must leave himself behind him; for content 

 will never dwell but in a meek and quiet soul. And this 

 may appear, if we read and consider what our Saviour 

 says in St. Matthew's Gospel; for he there says, " Blessed 

 be the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed be 

 the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed be the 

 poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. And, 

 Blessed be the meek, for they shall possess the earth." 

 Not that the meek shall not also obtain mercy, and see 

 God, and be comforted, and at last come to the kingdom 



