_ before
_Christs_ Coming, whose sole Dependance was on this Innocent Art.
_Innocent_ indeed and harmless, when the Lamb of God himself
_recommended_ it (as I may say) as such, by his Divine Call of four
_Fishermen_, to be his Disciples, and by distinguishing & dignifying
them with the greatest _Intimacy_ with himself, and chiefest place in
the _Apostolical Catalogue_; and by the Inspiration of his Spirit
ennobled their Function; he made them Eminent _Fishers of men_. Nay, at
the expence of a _Miracle_, he shewed the _Lawful Use_ of Fishing, when
the mouth of _Peter's_ Fish he commanded him to take, was the
_Tribute-Money's Purse_. And why our Saviour made his first Election of
Fishermen, before others, this may be the undoubted Reason: Because he
knew such men were naturally of more Contemplative and Serene Minds, of
more Calme, Peaceable, and sweet Dispositions; And let me add too in the
next place, because it is the School of Vertue (as I may call it)
wherein the Primitive Christian Vertues are learnt and exercised.
_Patience_ is the immediate Vertue wherewith the _Angler_ is endued,
without which the Pleasure doth no longer exist; and attended with her
three Sisters compleat his Delight. For _Justice_ directs him to the due
Place of Sport, where he may freely exercise his Art, without Injury or
Incivility to his Neighbours: _Temperance_ prescribes a _Measure_ to the
Action, and moderates and rules the Affections. And lastly _Fortitude_
encourages and strengthens his mind, to support the Labour and undergo
with Perseverance all Disappointments, excludes _Passion_ (incident to
other Recreations,) at the loss of a Hook, or (perhaps that he never
had) a Fish. It makes him not fear Wind nor Weather, nor is his delight
sowered at last with _Melancholy_ and Vexation; but tho the Anglers
Reward is but a little Fish, for a great deal of Pains, the Contentment
and Satisfaction is above that. Finally the _Usefulness_ of it is
apparently great; for the cherishing the Body, and cheering the Mind,
for diverting Sadness, and calming unquiet Thoughts, for moderating
Passions and procuring Contentedness, and begetting Peace and Patience
in those that profess and practise it. It has been the Recreation of
Gods Saints, and Holy Fathers; and of many Worthy and Reverend Divines,
this hath been and is now their beloved Pastime. And so I shall conclude
this _Encomium_ of Fishing; Volumes may be written in its praise (in
which I am somethin