The works of the reverend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…The workes of the reuerend and faithfull seruant af Iesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…

1 OF all sacrifices, most acceptable is that of thanksgiving: and therefore, in many words the Saints of God have vowed, and entered into bands with the Lord to pay this oblation, bo•h to prevent the untowardness of nature, which is so unwilling to this, as also to shame themselves more if happily they grow herein negligent: in which repetition of their vows and promises (which argueth the great desire of their hearts: for look what one delighteth in, he often speaketh of it, and in many words) they declare, that as even in things agreeable to nature, we will help our delight by often speaking and repeating of them: so much more this help is requisite in things above nature, & among all the parts of godliness which are above nature, and chiefly in thanksgiving, which is most contrary to nature: for we will pray often for a thing, but hardly give thanks once. And yet experience proveth in civill things, that of all arguments to persuade one to give us a gift, none is more eloquent or forcible, than to promise our selves to be thankful and mindful for that we shall receive.

1 OF all sacrifices, most acceptable is that of thanksgiuing: and therefore, in many words the Saints of God haue vowed, and entred into bands with the Lord to pay this oblation, bo•h to preuent the vntowardnes of nature, which is so vnwilling to this, as also to shame themselues more if happily they grow herein negligent: in which repetition of their vowes and promises (which argueth the great desire of their hearts: for looke what one delighteth in, he often speaketh of it, and in many words) they declare, that as euen in things agreeable to nature, we will helpe our delight by often speaking and repeating of them: so much more this helpe is requisite in things aboue nature, & among all the parts of godlines which are aboue nature, and chiefly in thanksgiuing, which is most contrarie to nature: for we will pray often for a thing, but hardly giue thankes once. And yet experience proueth in ciuill things, that of all arguments to perswade one to giue vs a gift, none is more eloquent or forcible, than to promise our selues to be thankfull and mindfull for that we shall receiue.