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the complete angler-第47部分

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yet you shall hardly meet with a man that complains not of some want; though he; indeed; wants nothing but his will; it may be; nothing but his will of his poor neighbour; for not worshipping; or not flattering him: and thus; when we might be happy and quiet; we create trouble to ourselves。 I have heard of a man that was angry with himself because he was no taller; and of a woman that broke her looking…glass because it would not shew her face to be as young and handsome as her next neighbour's was。 And I knew another to whom God had given health and plenty; but a wife that nature had made peevish; 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 oppositions; and actionable words; and more vexations and lawsuits; 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 vext and chid; and chid and vext; till she also chid and vext herself into her grave: and so the wealth of these poor rich people was curst into a punishment; 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 content 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 of heaven: but in the meantime; he; and he only; possesses the earth; as he goes towards that kingdom of heaven; by being humble and cheerful; and content with what his good God had allotted him。 He has no turbulent; repining; vexatious thoughts that he deserves better; nor is vext when he see others possess of more honour or more riches than his wise God has allotted for his share: but he possesses what he has with a meek and contented quietness; such a quietness as makes his very dreams pleasing; both to God and himself。

My honest Scholar; all this is told to incline you to thankfulness; and to incline you the more; let me tell you; and though the prophet David was guilty of murder and adultery; and many other of the most deadly sins; yet he was said to be a man after God's own heart; because he abounded more with thankfulness that any other that is mentioned in holy scripture; as may appear in his book o£ Psalms; where there is such a commixture; of his confessing of his sins and unworthiness; and such thankfulness for God's pardon and mercies; as did make him to be accounted; even by God himself; to be a man after his own heart: and let us; in that; labour to be as like him as we can; let not the blessings we receive daily from God make us not to value; or not praise Him; because they be common; let us not forget to praise Him for the innocent mirth and pleasure we have met with since we met together。 What would a blind man give to see the pleasant rivers; and meadows; and flowers; and fountains; that we have met with since we met together ? I have been told; that if a man that was born blind could obtain to have his sight for but only one hour during his whole life; and should; at the first opening of his eyes; fix his sight upon the sun when it was in its full glory; either at the rising or setting of it; he would be so transported and amazed; and so admire the glory of it; that he would not willingly turn his eyes from that first ravishing object; to behold all the other various beauties this world could present to him。 And this; and many other like blessings; we enjoy daily。 And for the most of them; because they be so common; most men forget to pay their praises: but let not us; because it is a sacrifice so pleasing to Him that made that sun and us; and still protects us; and gives us flowers; and showers; and stomachs; and meat; and content; and leisure to go a…fishing。

Well; Scholar; I have almost tired myself; and; I fear; more than almost tired you。 But I now see Tottenham High…Cross; and our short walk thither shall put a period to my too long discourse; in which my meaning was; and is; to plant that in your mind with which I labour to possess my own soul; that is; a meek and thankful heart。 And to that end I have shewed you; that riches without them; do not make any man happy。 But let me tell you; that riches with them remove many fears and cares。 And therefore my advice is; that you endeavour to be honestly rich; or contentedly poor: but be sure that your riches be justly got; or you spoil all。 For it is well said by Caussin; 〃 He that loses his conscience has nothing left that is worth keeping 〃。 Therefore be sure you look to that。 And; in the next place; look to your health: and if you have it; praise God; and value it next to a good conscience; for health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of; a blessing that money cannot buy; and therefore value it; and be thankful for it。 As for money; which may be said to be the third blessing; neglect it not: but note; that there is no necessity of being rich; for I told you; there be as many miseries beyond riches as on this side them: and if you have a competence; enjoy it with a meek; cheerful; thankful heart。 I will tell you; Scholar; I have heard a grave Divine say; that God has two dwellings; one in heaven; and the other in a meek and thankful heart; which Almighty God grant to me; and to my honest Scholar。 And so you are welcome to Tottenham High…Cross。

Venator。 Well; Master; I thank you for all your good directions; but for none more than this last; of thankfulness; which I hope I shall never forget。 And pray let's now rest ourselves in this sweet shady arbour; which nature herself has woven with her own fine fingers; 'tis such a contexture of woodbines; sweetbriar; jasmine; and myrtle; and so interwoven; as will secure us both from the sun's violent heat; and from the approaching shower。 And being set down; I will requite a part of your courtesies with a bottle of sack; milk; oranges; and sugar; which; all put together; make a drink like nectar; indeed; too good for any but us Anglers; And so; Master; here is a full glass to you of that liquor: and when you have pledged me; I will repeat the Verses which I promised you: it is a Copy printed amo
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