Propositions

80 Of all sacrifices, most acceptable is that of thanks-giving; and therefore, in many words the Saints of God have ⟨image 23⟩vowed, and entered into bands with the Lord to pay this oblation; both to prevent the untowardness of nature which is so unwilling of this, as also to shame themselves more, if haply they grow herein negligent; in which repetition of their vows and promises, which argueth their 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, and among all the parts of godliness which are above nature; and chiefly in thanks-giving; which is more contrary to nature: for we will pray oft for a thing, but hardly give thanks once, & yet experience proveth in civil 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 of that we shall receive.

80 Of all sacrifices, most acceptable is that of thanks-giving; and therefore, in many wordes the Saintes of God haue ⟨image 23⟩vowed, and entred into bandes with the Lord to paye this oblation; both to prevent the vntowardnes of nature which is so vnwilling of this, as also to shame themselues more, if happely they growe herein negligent; in which repetition of their vowes and promises, which argueth their great desire of their hearts (for, looke what one delighteth in, hee often speaketh of it, and in many wordes) they declare, that as even in things agreable to nature, wee will helpe our delight by often speaking and repeating of them; so much more this help is requisit in things aboue nature, and among all the partes of godlines which are aboue nature; and chiefly in thankes-giving; which is more contrarie to nature: for we will pray oft for a thing, but hardlie giue thanks once, & yet experience proveth in civil things, that of all arguments to perswade one to giue vs a guift, none is more eloquent or forcible, than to promise our selues to be thankfull and mindefull of that wee shall receiue.