And that they be fit for the contemplation 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 Patriarks or Prophets of old, and of the Apostles of our Saviour in these later times, of which twelve he chose four that were Fishermen: concerning which choice some have made these Observations. First, That he never reproved these for their Imployment or Calling, as he did the Scribes and the Mony-Changers. And secondly, That he found the hearts of such men, men that 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 nothing be too hard for him, yet these men he chose to call from their irreprovable imployment, and gave them grace to be his Disciples and to follow him. And it is observable, that it was our Saviours will that his four Fishermen Apostles should have a prioritie of nomination in the catalogue of his twelve Apostles, as namely first, S. _Peter, Andrew, James_ [Mat. 10.] and _John_, and then the rest in their order. And it is yet more observable, that when our blessed Saviour went up into the Mount, at his Transfiguration, when he left the rest of his Disciples and chose onely three to bear him company, that these three were all Fishermen. And since I have your promise to hear me with patience, I will take a liberty to look back upon an observation that hath been made by an ingenuous and learned man, who observes that God hath been pleased to allow those whom he himselfe hath appointed, to write his holy will in holy Writ, yet to express his will in such Metaphors as their former affections or practise had inclined them to; and he brings _Solomon_ for an example, who before his conversion was remarkably amorous, and after by Gods appointment, writ that Love-Song [the Canticles] betwixt God and his Church. And if this hold in reason (as I see none to the contrary) then it may be probably concluded, that _Moses_ (whom I told you before, writ the book of _Job_) and the Prophet _Amos_ were both Anglers, for you shal in all the old Testaments find fish-hooks but twice mentioned; namely, by meek _Moses_, the friend of God; and by the humble Prophet _Amos_. Concerning which last, namely, the Prophet _Amos_, I shall make but this Observation, That he that shall read the humble, lowly, plain stile of that Prophet, and compare it with the high, glorious, eloquent stile of the prophet _Isaiah_ (though they be both equally true) may easily believe him to be a good natured, plaine Fisher-man. Which I do the rather believe, by comparing the affectionate, lowly, humble epistles of S. _Peter_, S. _James_ and S. _John_, whom we know were Fishers, with the glorious language and high Metaphors of S. _Paul_, who we know was not.