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On the contrary, what shall I say of the house-cock, which treads
any hen? and, then, contrary to the swan, the partridge, and pigeon,
takes no care to hatch, to feed or cherish his own brood, but is
senseless, though they perish. And it is considerable, that the
hen, which, because she also takes any cock, expects it not; who
is sure the chickens be her own, hath by a moral impression her
care and affection to her own brood more than doubled, even to such
a height, that our Saviour, in expressing his love to Jerusalem,
Matt. xxiii. 37, quotes her for an example of tender affection;
as his Father had done Job, for a pattern of patience.
And to parallel this cock, there be divers fishes that cast their
spawn on flags or stones; and then leave it uncovered, and exposed
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 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 Gessner,
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 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 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 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:---
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