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Use "earnests" in a sentence
"But the servants laying hold upon him, and informing him really that the king had bestowed on him the house and furniture of a rich man lately deceased, and that these were but the first-fruits or earnests of greater riches and possessions that were to come, he was persuaded at last with much difficulty to believe them."
"And this difference must be admitted if we are obliged to the precise signification and common use of pledges and earnests among men, which we must inquire into."
"He has avowed his purpose of trampling on the usages of civilized warfare, and given earnests of it in the plunder and wanton destruction of private property."