against_o the_o excess_n i_o mean_v not_o the_o excess_n of_o pray_v against_o which_o i_o see_v no_o need_n to_o give_v warn_v for_o i_o know_v no_o euchitae_n now_o to_o capitulate_v with_o and_o convince_v they_o that_o prayer_n be_v not_o to_o swallow_v up_o all_o other_o office_n to_o think_v we_o must_v do_v nothing_o but_o pray_v be_v not_o to_o overstretch_n the_o liberty_n of_o prayer_n but_o to_o pinch_v and_o grind_v upon_o it_o whereas_o it_o will_v admit_v of_o pause_n and_o yet_o be_v incessant_a too_o in_o the_o apostle_n sense_n as_o the_o natural_a heart_n be_v in_o perpetual_a motion_n tho'_o it_o have_v its_o systole_n as_o well_o as_o diastole_n and_o the_o contraction_n do_v but_o help_v the_o dilatation_n so_o prayer_n be_v as_o the_o pulse_n of_o the_o pious_a heart_n and_o still_o the_o circulation_n go_v on_o nor_o be_v the_o little_a break_v and_o interruption_n any_o hindrance_n but_o only_o a_o gather_n of_o fresh_a strength_n for_o the_o work_n that_o it_o may_v go_v on_o more_o lively_a and_o the_o heart_n throw_v out_o what_o it_o have_v be_v gather_v in_o more_o vigorous_o but_o there_o be_v little_a danger_n of_o pray_v too_o much_o or_o too_o often_o a_o small_a stock_n of_o prudence_n with_o a_o great_a sense_n of_o want_n and_o love_n of_o prayer_n will_v teach_v any_o well-disposed_a christian_a to_o be_v his_o own_o casuist_n in_o this_o matter_n all_o the_o danger_n lie_v in_o another_o extreme_a of_o fly_v out_o into_o the_o wide_a way_n which_o i_o have_v be_v endeavour_v to_o bar_n up_o no_o fear_n lest_o prayer_n shall_v be_v lay_v too_o common_a for_o every_o one_o free_o to_o use_v it_o but_o least_o the_o liberty_n shall_v be_v abuse_v by_o the_o wild_a beast_n of_o the_o people_n who_o no_o enclosure_n can_v hold_v but_o they_o must_v break_v through_o all_o fence_n and_o will_v not_o accept_v of_o any_o liberty_n as_o room_n enough_o for_o they_o unless_o the_o extension_n be_v in_o infinitum_fw-la unreasonable_a creature_n that_o can_v be_v content_v with_o a_o fair_a open_a way_n to_o go_v in_o nay_o and_o a_o large_a and_o wide_a field_n wherein_o to_o expatiate_v but_o they_o must_v be_v absolute_o lawless_a and_o svi_fw-la juris_fw-la let_v such_o complain_v they_o have_v not_o more_o liberty_n no_o matter_n as_o long_o as_o they_o that_o know_v better_a thing_n see_v cause_n to_o rejoice_v and_o give_v thanks_o that_o they_o have_v so_o much._n the_o privilege_n of_o such_o freedom_n in_o prayer_n as_o i_o have_v lay_v open_a be_v a_o blessing_n and_o favour_n indeed_o that_o we_o can_v enough_o acknowledge_v and_o value_v o_o that_o ever_o any_o shall_v be_v listless_a to_o it_o or_o weary_a of_o it_o and_o what_o enemy_n to_o soul_n and_o a_o mischief_n to_o the_o world_n be_v they_o that_o say_v or_o do_v any_o thing_n to_o disgrace_n or_o hinder_v it_o to_o take_v man_n off_o it_o to_o put_v they_o out_o of_o conceit_n with_o it_o and_o turn_v they_o against_o it_o let_v who_o will_n exaggerate_v the_o mischief_n of_o this_o liberty_n and_o with_o never_o so_o keen_a invective_n declaim_v against_o the_o vindicator_n of_o it_o as_o the_o author_n of_o confusion_n and_o ruin_n to_o the_o church_n we_o be_v not_o by_o this_o mean_n to_o be_v scare_v and_o ruffle_v out_o of_o the_o dear_a purchase_n of_o our_o great_a redeemer_n blood_n we_o can_v as_o easy_a cry_n slavery_n as_o they_o do_v anarchy_n but_o i_o hope_v it_o will_v never_o spoil_v and_o undo_v we_o to_o have_v liberty_n to_o say_v our_o prayer_n yea_o and_o to_o pray_v they_o too_o god_n be_v thank_v we_o belong_v not_o to_o a_o church_n that_o support_v itself_o by_o tyranny_n and_o usurpation_n but_o by_o the_o gospel-doctrine_n and_o moderation_n wise_o take_v in_o the_o advantage_n both_o of_o a_o liturgy_n and_o of_o conceive_a prayer_n and_o so_o avoid_v the_o inconvenience_n to_o which_o the_o sole_a use_n of_o either_o may_v be_v liable_a however_o some_o of_o her_o son_n degenerate_a into_o a_o much_o worse_a temper_n and_o grow_v so_o fierce_a and_o stern_a to_o catch_v their_o fellow-servant_n by_o the_o throat_n if_o they_o do_v not_o say_v just_a as_o they_o do_v and_o move_v not_o exact_o like_o themselves_o and_o tho'_o they_o will_v bring_v a_o odium_n upon_o their_o mother_n and_o make_v she_o take_v for_o a_o imperious_a cruel_a step_n dame_n where_o do_v she_o give_v they_o any_o such_o instruction_n and_o what_o little_a cause_n have_v she_o to_o thank_v they_o for_o be_v so_o officious_a in_o help_v to_o make_v a_o servile_a brood_n of_o ingenuous_a child_n it_o be_v not_o indeed_o our_o church_n but_o some_o that_o so_o over-stretch_a thing_n in_o it_o who_o will_v invade_v our_o liberty_n and_o so_o we_o must_v be_v in_o bondage_n to_o a_o set_a of_o man_n that_o have_v early_o imbibe_v principle_n of_o slavery_n themselves_o and_o can_v never_o be_v quiet_a till_o they_o have_v club_a all_o into_o their_o mind_n and_o way_n but_o let_v such_o overdoers_n take_v heed_n they_o prove_v not_o in_o the_o end_n worse_a vndoer_n of_o the_o church_n than_o any_o of_o those_o they_o so_o much_o declare_v their_o deadly_a fear_n of_o to_o vindicate_v the_o liberty_n of_o the_o gospel_n will_v never_o hurt_v any_o church_n of_o christ_n none_o but_o the_o antichristian_a church_n and_o such_o as_o symbolize_v therewith_o can_v be_v against_o it_o but_o it_o be_v equal_o rebellion_n against_o the_o lord_n of_o the_o church_n to_o offer_v to_o retrench_v that_o liberty_n which_o we_o have_v in_o christ_n jesus_n and_o to_o take_v the_o lawless_a liberty_n of_o the_o servant_n of_o sin_n who_o be_v free_a from_o righteousness_n or_o to_o make_v that_o liberty_n a_o occasion_n to_o the_o flesh_n which_o be_v not_o indeed_o a_o liberty_n to_o sin_n but_o from_o it_o deliver_v we_o be_v but_o not_o to_o commit_v abomination_n and_o the_o son_n of_o god_n have_v make_v we_o free_a indeed_o though_o not_o to_o walk_v in_o the_o way_n of_o our_o heart_n and_o the_o sight_n of_o our_o eye_n but_o to_o serve_v he_o spontaneous_o as_o a_o willing_a people_n we_o be_v not_o under_o the_o law_n but_o under_o grace_n it_o be_v true_a yet_o must_v we_o not_o therefore_o turn_v the_o grace_n of_o god_n into_o wantonness_n nor_o continue_v in_o sin_n that_o grace_n may_v abound_v god_n forbid_v he_o shall_v so_o lose_v his_o glory_n by_o grant_v we_o liberty_n though_o where_o the_o spirit_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v there_o be_v liberty_n yet_o if_o it_o be_v the_o spiritual_a liberty_n such_o as_o our_o bless_a saviour_n have_v buy_v we_o be_v sure_o it_o will_v never_o be_v turn_v against_o piety_n loyalty_n sobriety_n honesty_n or_o charity_n however_o we_o may_v use_v or_o forbear_v our_o liberty_n in_o thing_n indifferent_a thereafter_o as_o we_o be_v like_a to_o do_v good_a or_o hurt_v with_o the_o use_n and_o yet_o still_o have_v it_o all_o one_o to_o ourselves_o as_o if_o we_o do_v put_v it_o in_o continual_a exercise_n as_o to_o the_o inner_a man_n indeed_o we_o must_v not_o be_v make_v servant_n to_o any_o but_o for_o the_o outer_a we_o shall_v make_v ourselves_o servant_n even_a to_o all_o i_o say_v then_o as_o the_o apostle_n do_v of_o faith_n have_v thou_o liberty_n have_v it_o to_o thyself_o before_o god_n and_o that_o be_v enough_o to_o preserve_v it_o fair_a and_o entire_a in_o his_o sight_n and_o as_o long_o as_o thou_o be_v well_o aware_a that_o no_o tradition_n of_o man_n can_v bind_v thy_o conscience_n so_o as_o the_o law_n of_o god_n though_o thou_o submit_v to_o every_o ordinance_n of_o man_n it_o be_v for_o the_o lord_n sake_n thou_o do_v not_o give_v up_o any_o freedom_n which_o christ_n thy_o lord_n will_v have_v thou_o to_o hold_v fast_o but_o though_o thou_o be_v not_o to_o say_v and_o to_o do_v every_o where_o just_a as_o thy_o list_n thou_o must_v dread_v to_o be_v such_o a_o libertine_n so_o leave_v loose_a to_o undo_v thyself_o yet_o still_o thou_o enjoy_v that_o liberty_n of_o prayer_n which_o i_o plead_v for_o as_o long_o as_o thou_o can_v but_o go_v with_o hope_n and_o comfort_n to_o god_n as_o a_o child_n notwithstanding_o that_o in_o many_o thing_n thou_o have_v fail_v and_o offend_v and_o so_o misbehave_v thyself_o thou_o can_v not_o choose_v but_o be_v conscious_a how_o unworthy_a thou_o be_v to_o be_v own_v in_o that_o relation_n forget_v not_o then_o how_o vile_a and_o sinful_a how_o diminutive_a and_o contemptible_a how_o even_o nothing_o and_o worse_o than_o nothing_o thou_o be_v be_v as_o apprehensive_a as_o thou_o will_v or_o can_v be_v of_o thy_o own_o demerit_n that_o thou_o may_v ever_o approach_v the_o majesty_n of_o heaven_n with_o a_o become_a awe_n and_o serve_v thy_o god_n who_o be_v a_o consume_a fire_n
hand_n scatters_z among_o all_o sort_n of_o man_n that_o we_o may_v be_v remember_v with_o the_o favour_n which_o he_o bear_v to_o his_o people_n and_o visited_n with_o the_o joy_n of_o his_o salvation_n little_a need_n have_v we_o to_o mind_v the_o stuff_n here_o when_o all_o the_o good_a of_o the_o promise_a land_n be_v before_o we_o and_o how_o well_o may_v that_o be_v call_v all_o which_o take_v in_o whatever_o the_o largest_n soul_n of_o man_n can_v wish_v we_o can_v ask_v the_o thing_n that_o be_v not_o there_o blame_v the_o shallowness_n of_o our_o request_n herb._n he_o be_v the_o power_n to_o who_o we_o pray_v and_o his_o hand_n be_v never_o shorten_v but_o with_o the_o great_a ease_n can_v effect_v whatever_o we_o will_v have_v let_v we_o not_o then_o be_v straighten_v in_o our_o prayer_n when_o we_o have_v so_o much_o liberty_n give_v we_o and_o we_o can_v open_v our_o mouth_n so_o wide_o but_o he_o who_o gift_n be_v eternal_a life_n have_v promise_v to_o fill_v they_o and_o to_o pleasure_v we_o not_o only_o to_o the_o half_n but_o even_o the_o whole_a of_o his_o kingdom_n and_o what_o more_o can_v we_o ask_v or_o think_v than_o all_o heaven_n and_o glory_n everlasting_a with_o whatever_o be_v conduce_v here_o to_o bring_v we_o safe_a thither_o poor_a christian_a who_o be_v humble_a and_o contrite_a tremble_v at_o god_n word_n be_v not_o modest_a in_o thy_o own_o wrong_n when_o thou_o be_v allow_v to_o enlarge_v thy_o desire_n as_o wide_o as_o to_o what_o be_v infinite_a lose_v it_o not_o for_o want_v of_o ask_v thou_o may_v think_v a_o crown_n and_o kingdom_n most_o glorious_a and_o never_o fail_v too_o good_a for_o thou_o a_o sinful_a wretch_n to_o expect_v but_o they_o be_v not_o too_o great_a for_o the_o god_n infinite_o good_a to_o bestow_v this_o be_v the_o drift_n of_o all_o thy_o prayer_n no_o less_o thou_o be_v to_o beg_v than_o christ_n and_o with_o he_o all_o thing_n in_o this_o world_n the_o knowledge_n and_o love_n and_o obedience_n of_o god_n truth_n and_o in_o the_o world_n to_o come_v life_n everlasting_a and_o that_o end_v of_o thy_o faith_n the_o salvation_n of_o thy_o soul_n as_o it_o must_v be_v the_o aim_n so_o it_o will_v be_v the_o consequence_n of_o thy_o prayer_n for_o whosoever_o shall_v call_v on_o the_o name_n of_o the_o lord_n shall_v be_v save_v rom._n 10.13_o do_v but_o ask_v as_o thou_o shall_v and_o thou_o shall_v have_v what_o thou_o wilt._n chap._n ii_o the_o liberty_n of_o pray_v as_o to_o the_o manner_n the_o liberty_n of_o pray_v be_v not_o so_o great_a for_o the_o matter_n but_o it_o be_v yet_o great_a for_o the_o manner_n if_o man_n will_v not_o go_v to_o tie_v we_o up_o where_o god_n have_v leave_v we_o free_n for_o though_o our_o lord_n have_v limit_v we_o as_o to_o the_o particular_n to_o to_o be_v ask_v so_o that_o we_o be_v to_o ask_v nothing_o but_o what_o may_v be_v reduce_v to_o some_o of_o the_o head_n which_o he_o have_v prescribe_v yet_o who_o can_v ever_o think_v that_o he_o tie_v we_o up_o only_o to_o those_o very_a word_n when_o as_o all_o supplicant_n still_o together_o with_o or_o without_o those_o have_v be_v accustom_v to_o other_o word_n and_o yet_o not_o fear_v to_o transgress_v the_o order_n of_o our_o saviour_n but_o by_o this_o liberty_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o prayer_n i_o understand_v the_o freedom_n and_o boldness_n of_o address_n use_v of_o the_o voice_n or_o not_o long_o prayer_n or_o short_a plain_a or_o elegant_a this_o posture_n or_o that_o a_o form_n or_o none_o one_o form_n or_o another_o choose_v which_o part_n shall_v go_v first_o and_o alter_a add_v or_o diminish_v according_a as_o we_o shall_v judge_v most_o agreeable_a and_o beneficial_a to_o ourselves_o and_o other_o sect_n 1._o of_o the_o freedom_n and_o boldness_n of_o address_n notwithstanding_o the_o infinite_a distance_n between_o we_o and_o the_o most_o high_a god_n we_o be_v encourage_v to_o come_v bold_o to_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n heb._n 4.16_o provide_v we_o remember_v that_o we_o be_v creature_n we_o be_v not_o to_o forget_v that_o we_o be_v child_n child_n indeed_o of_o the_o most_o high_a yet_o behold_v god_n be_v mighty_a and_o despise_v not_o any_o job_n 36.5_o as_o we_o must_v manage_v our_o privilege_n so_o that_o the_o goodness_n of_o god_n may_v not_o cause_v we_o to_o forget_v his_o greatness_n as_o the_o doctor_n give_v a_o good_a caution_n 112._o serm._n p._n 112._o so_o vice_n versâ_fw-la that_o his_o greatness_n may_v not_o cause_v we_o to_o forget_v his_o goodness_n as_o it_o be_v say_v of_o luther_n that_o he_o pray_v tantâ_fw-la reverentiâ_fw-la ut_fw-la si_fw-la deo_fw-la tantâ_fw-la confidentiâ_fw-la ut_fw-la si_fw-la amico_fw-la so_o reverent_o as_o to_o god_n so_o confident_o as_o to_o his_o friend_n for_o though_o god_n be_v the_o great_a king_n yet_o he_o take_v not_o so_o much_o state_n as_o the_o mean_a for_o what_o king_n keep_v a_o court_n so_o open_v as_o to_o give_v admittance_n to_o all_o comer_n or_o though_o they_o get_v in_o every_o one_o must_v not_o look_v to_o speed_n but_o he_o that_o live_v never_o so_o obscure_a on_o earth_n may_v go_v when_o he_o will_v and_o speak_v to_o the_o king_n of_o heaven_n who_o not_o only_o authorise_v our_o access_n but_o invite_v we_o into_o his_o presence_n and_o like_v we_o so_o much_o the_o better_o the_o more_o we_o ask_v and_o be_v kind_a and_o better_o to_o we_o than_o all_o the_o best_a and_o dear_a friend_n we_o have_v in_o the_o world_n god_n child_n have_v not_o receive_v the_o spirit_n of_o bondage_n again_o to_o fear_n but_o the_o spirit_n of_o adoption_n whereby_o they_o cry_v abba_n father_n rom._n 8.15_o not_o to_o fear_n why_o it_o be_v madness_n not_o to_o fear_v he_o at_o who_o mercy_n we_o lie_v and_o who_o have_v the_o power_n of_o we_o to_o do_v what_o he_o will_v with_o we_o no_o such_o hearts-ease_n as_o to_o feel_v our_o heart_n soften_v into_o a_o awful_a regard_n of_o the_o glorious_a majesty_n of_o the_o world_n to_o reverence_n his_o name_n and_o to_o be_v afraid_a to_o lose_v and_o offend_v he_o such_o as_o fear_v he_o be_v call_v upon_o to_o praise_n he_o psal_n 135.20_o his_o filial_a fear_n be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o his_o cheerful_a praise_n who_o do_v so_o fear_v he_o have_v indeed_o most_o cause_n to_o praise_n he_o that_o by_o his_o grace_n he_o have_v wrought_v they_o to_o such_o a_o childlike_a disposition_n nay_o the_o very_a representation_n of_o god_n as_o a_o terrible_a judge_n a_o consume_a fire_n may_v do_v we_o the_o great_a kindness_n to_o hasten_v our_o flight_n from_o the_o wrath_n to_o come_v as_o any_o one_o will_v give_v we_o cause_n of_o many_o thanks_o to_o affright_v we_o from_o a_o deadly_a precipice_n upon_o which_o he_o see_v we_o ready_a to_o run_v and_o to_o be_v ruin_v but_o then_o the_o fear_n which_o god_n child_n have_v of_o he_o be_v not_o a_o slavish_a torment_a dread_a to_o affright_v they_o from_o he_o but_o such_o a_o caution_n and_o circumspection_n as_o drive_v they_o out_o of_o danger_n home_o to_o he_o to_o shelter_n under_o his_o wing_n still_o they_o be_v to_o look_v upon_o he_o clad_v in_o garment_n of_o salvation_n as_o well_o as_o of_o majesty_n benevolous_a to_o his_o creature_n and_o especial_o good_a to_o the_o soul_n that_o seek_v he_o not_o hard_a but_o only_o to_o be_v provoke_v and_o easy_a to_o be_v entreat_v full_a of_o invitation_n and_o all_o encouragement_n and_o endearment_n to_o raise_v hope_n and_o inflame_v our_o love_n not_o invite_v we_o to_o he_o for_o any_o end_n upon_o we_o but_o only_o to_o be_v good_a to_o we_o love_v all_o the_o occasion_n to_o exert_v his_o bounty_n and_o can_v deny_v the_o child_n of_o his_o family_n no_o reasonable_a request_n yea_o as_o much_o delight_v to_o give_v as_o we_o to_o receive_v as_o the_o mother_n be_v no_o less_o please_v to_o have_v her_o breast_n draw_v than_o the_o child_n to_o suck_v nor_o do_v he_o part_v with_o his_o mercy_n as_o one_o that_o be_v with_o difficulty_n draw_v to_o it_o but_o only_o stay_v till_o we_o be_v ready_a to_o receive_v the_o thing_n we_o ask_v i._n e._n indeed_o till_o they_o will_v do_v we_o good_n for_o till_o we_o be_v ready_a for_o they_o they_o be_v not_o good_a for_o we_o and_o our_o prayer_n be_v not_o to_o make_v he_o more_o willing_a but_o to_o make_v we_o more_o prepare_v we_o must_v not_o go_v to_o god_n then_o discourage_v with_o a_o servile_a dread_a but_o repair_v to_o he_o as_o to_o a_o father_n though_o offend_v yet_o willing_a to_o be_v reconcile_v and_o therefore_o put_v we_o on_o to_o ask_v our_o pardon_n that_o we_o may_v receive_v it_o and_o that_o he_o 〈◊〉_d will_v
the_o same_o care_n one_o of_o another_o we_o be_v not_o indeed_o to_o pray_v for_o the_o dead_a who_o part_n be_v do_v and_o their_o final_a condition_n already_o determine_v and_o it_o be_v equal_o idle_a and_o impertinent_a to_o pray_v for_o that_o which_o already_o be_v and_o that_o which_o never_o shall_v be_v that_o be_v the_o bliss_n of_o those_o that_o be_v bless_v or_o the_o salvation_n of_o those_o that_o be_v lose_v yet_o o_o how_o many_o senseless_a mass_n be_v pour_v out_o upon_o this_o account_n and_o spill_v in_o the_o air_n only_a that_o the_o loss_n be_v not_o great_a unless_o the_o stuff_n be_v more_o precious_a by_o that_o church_n which_o seem_v to_o have_v a_o great_a deal_n of_o leisure_n and_o little_a to_o do_v to_o bestow_v so_o much_o time_n in_o seek_v to_o reverse_v what_o god_n have_v already_o conclude_v but_o though_o the_o dead_a can_v receive_v no_o manner_n of_o advantage_n from_o it_o yet_o like_o some_o other_o point_n of_o popery_n it_o be_v too_o 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beggar_n unless_o it_o be_v in_o that_o sense_n as_o be_v no_o damage_n or_o disparagement_n to_o any_o the_o laudable_a usage_n of_o all_o well-governed_a family_n to_o go_v to_o their_o prayer_n before_o they_o fall_v to_o and_o after_o they_o have_v finish_v the_o business_n of_o the_o day_n can_v be_v confront_v without_o a_o proud_a scornful_a reflection_n upon_o the_o most_o judicious_a and_o the_o most_o pious_a christian_n in_o the_o world_n when_o the_o family_n come_v together_o in_o the_o morning_n and_o evening_n this_o be_v the_o most_o decent_a way_n of_o bid_v good_a morrow_n and_o good_a night_n and_o such_o family_n as_o give_v themselves_o to_o prayer_n use_v to_o give_v also_o the_o best_a example_n in_o other_o matter_n and_o show_v that_o they_o be_v the_o like_a of_o all_o to_o be_v in_o the_o right_n indeed_o a_o ordinary_a observer_n if_o any_o thing_n impartial_a may_v easy_o see_v the_o difference_n that_o be_v common_o between_o pray_v and_o prayerless_a 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throne_n of_o grace_n and_o let_v not_o the_o member_n of_o family_n here_o stand_v for_o cipher_n but_o careful_o bear_v their_o part_n in_o this_o service_n nor_o think_v it_o enough_o to_o be_v still_o present_a at_o the_o office_n without_o a_o hearty_a concurrence_n and_o join_v to_o assist_v in_o it_o that_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o family_n may_v not_o be_v only_o a_o formality_n and_o some_o as_o licentious_a in_o their_o do_v it_o as_o other_o in_o leave_v it_o undo_v sect_n iii_o of_o not_o pray_v in_o secret_n there_o be_v who_o concern_v themselves_o in_o no_o devotion_n any_o further_a than_o they_o have_v company_n and_o be_v carry_v with_o the_o crowd_n as_o if_o they_o dare_v not_o trust_v the_o all-seeing_a eye_n of_o god_n without_o witness_n or_o like_o dead_a thing_n can_v not_o move_v any_o further_a than_o move_v or_o like_o press_a soldier_n will_v do_v nothing_o if_o they_o can_v tell_v how_o handsome_o to_o avoid_v it_o but_o to_o sound_v a_o trumpet_n in_o 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