48 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [part i. 



to become a prey and be devoured by vermin or other fishes. 

 But other fishes, as, namely, 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, 

 unfirequented 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 cgntempla- 

 tion 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 fit for the contemplation of the most prudent, 

 and pious, and peaceable men, seems to be testified by the prac- 

 tice 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 pubhsh 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 unbelieving Jews ; and themselves to suffer for that 

 Saviour, whom their forefathers and they had crucified ; and, in 

 their sufferings, to preach freedom from the incumbrances of the 

 law, and a new way to everlasting life : this was the employment 

 of these happy fishermen. Concerning which choice, some have 

 made these observations : — 



First, that he never reproved these, for their employment or 

 calling, as he did the Scribes and the Money-changers. And 

 secondly, he found that the hearts of such men, by nature, were 

 fitted for contemplation and quietness ; men of mild, and sweet, 

 and peaceable spirits, as indeed most Anglers are : these men 

 our blessed Saviour, who is observed to love to plant grace in 

 good natures, though indeed nothing be too hard for him, yet 

 these men he chose to call from their irreprovable employment of 

 fishing, and gave them grace to be his disciples, and to follow him, 

 and do wonders ; I say four of twelve. 



And it is observable that it was our Saviour's will that these, 

 our four fishermen, should have a priority of nomination in the 



* Psalm cvli. 23, 24. 



