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myself_o be_o able_a to_o do_v i_o be_o etc._n etc._n the_o three_o letter_n you_o have_v see_v sir_n to_o how_o little_a purpose_n it_o be_v that_o mr._n simon_n endeavour_v to_o defend_v his_o particular_a opinion_n as_o well_o as_o those_o which_o be_v common_a to_o he_o with_o all_o other_o roman-catholic_a doctor_n you_o shall_v see_v now_o that_o he_o be_v no_o happy_a in_o go_v about_o to_o play_v the_o critic_n on_o two_o letter_n in_o which_o he_o be_v not_o concern_v it_o appear_v evident_o that_o nothing_o but_o the_o itch_n he_o have_v of_o carp_n at_o other_o man_n write_n have_v make_v he_o undertake_v to_o examine_v those_o letter_n for_o he_o embrace_v the_o great_a part_n of_o the_o opinion_n which_o the_o author_n there_o maintain_v and_o i_o doubt_v not_o but_o those_o who_o have_v judge_v the_o opinion_n of_o mr._n n._n too_o bold_a will_v be_v as_o much_o scandalize_v at_o those_o of_o the_o pious_a prior_n of_o bolleville_n that_o incomparable_a critic_n 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thing_n they_o say_v from_o immediate_a inspiration_n and_o in_o effect_n it_o have_v happen_v that_o many_o people_n have_v hereupon_o believe_v that_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v entire_o ruin_v and_o imagine_v that_o the_o reason_n bring_v by_o spinoza_n to_o prove_v this_o opinion_n be_v unanswerable_a they_o have_v fall_v into_o deism_n or_o into_o atheism_n what_o remedy_n sir_n for_o this_o for_o my_o part_n i_o confess_v i_o see_v but_o one_o of_o these_o three_o either_o a_o way_n must_v be_v find_v to_o burn_v all_o the_o copy_n of_o these_o impious_a book_n that_o have_v corrupt_v so_o many_o man_n and_o to_o blot_v out_o of_o man_n memory_n the_o argument_n of_o these_o libertine_n or_o else_o there_o must_v solid_a demonstration_n be_v make_v of_o the_o falsity_n of_o the_o argument_n they_o make_v use_v of_o to_o maintain_v their_o opinion_n or_o last_o in_o grant_v to_o they_o that_o the_o sacred_a penman_n be_v not_o inspire_v neither_o as_o to_o the_o 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since_o no_o body_n have_v yet_o do_v nor_o that_o i_o know_v undertake_v to_o do_v it_o why_o shall_v it_o be_v ill_o take_v that_o mr._n n._n have_v make_v use_n of_o the_o three_o method_n or_o that_o i_o have_v publish_v his_o write_n it_o be_v true_a there_o be_v some_o who_o believe_v that_o it_o be_v better_a to_o hold_v one_o peace_n in_o a_o matter_n so_o delicate_a than_o to_o run_v the_o hazard_n of_o give_v scandal_n to_o other_o by_o contradict_v the_o opinion_n which_o they_o think_v most_o reasonable_a this_o indeed_o will_v be_v very_o well_o if_o libertine_n also_o forbear_v write_v or_o if_o no_o body_n read_v their_o book_n but_o since_o it_o be_v otherwise_o such_o silence_n be_v not_o at_o all_o seasonable_a if_o any_o weak_a mind_n take_v offence_n without_o reason_n at_o what_o be_v offer_v there_o be_v a_o
spirit_n be_v also_o ambiguous_a for_o either_o it_o signify_v as_o i_o have_v take_v it_o a_o certain_a divine_a inspiration_n which_o both_o the_o ordinary_a prophet_n have_v and_o sometime_o david_n and_o daniel_n or_o it_o signify_v a_o pious_a motion_n or_o faculty_n stir_v a_o man_n up_o to_o utter_v useful_a precept_n relate_v to_o human_a life_n or_o political_n or_o civil_a matter_n thus_o maimonides_n interpret_v the_o word_n holy_a spirit_n where_o he_o treat_v of_o those_o historical_a and_o moral_a write_n if_o luke_n have_v write_v by_o the_o dictate_v of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n he_o will_v have_v fetch_v his_o authority_n from_o thence_o as_o the_o prophet_n do_v rather_o than_o from_o witness_n who_o credit_n he_o follow_v etc._n etc._n 119._o rivet_n be_v mighty_o scandalize_v or_o at_o least_o seem_v to_o be_v so_o at_o a_o answer_n so_o contradictory_n to_o the_o common_a opinion_n but_o 722._o grotius_n explain_v himself_o yet_o more_o clear_o and_o strong_o in_o his_o refutation_n of_o rivet_n be_v apology_n adscribi_fw-la grotius_n say_v he_o himself_z willing_o acknowledge_v that_o the_o prophet_n who_o be_v command_v by_o god_n to_o write_v or_o speak_v do_v write_v and_o speak_v by_o inspiration_n from_o he_o his_o opinion_n be_v also_o the_o same_o as_o to_o the_o apocalyse_v and_o the_o prediction_n make_v by_o the_o apostle_n he_o esteem_v it_o the_o high_a impiety_n to_o make_v any_o doubt_n that_o all_o that_o be_v say_v by_o jesus_n christ_n be_v say_v by_o god_n himself_o concern_v the_o historical_a write_n and_o the_o moral_a sentence_n of_o the_o hebrew_n he_o be_v of_o another_o opinion_n he_o think_v it_o sufficient_a to_o believe_v that_o they_o be_v write_v out_o of_o a_o pious_a intention_n and_o with_o great_a ingenuity_n and_o concern_v matter_n of_o high_a importance_n etc._n etc._n neither_o esdras_n nor_o luke_n be_v prophet_n but_o grave_n and_o prudent_a man_n who_o neither_o be_v mind_v to_o deceive_v nor_o will_v suffer_v themselves_o to_o be_v deceive_v do_v luke_n say_v the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n come_v to_o luke_n and_o the_o lord_n say_v to_o he_o write_z as_o the_o prophet_n use_v to_o say_v nothing_o like_o it_o what_o then_o for_o as_o much_o as_o many_o have_v take_v in_o hand_n to_o set_v forth_o in_o order_n a_o declaration_n of_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v most_o sure_o believe_v among_o we_o he_o say_v not_o that_o by_o command_n but_o by_o the_o example_n of_o other_o he_o be_v induce_v to_o write_v even_o as_o they_o deliver_v they_o to_o we_o who_o from_o the_o beginning_n be_v eye-witness_n and_o minister_n of_o the_o word_n viz._n marry_o the_o mother_n of_o our_o lord_n other_z of_o his_o kinsman_n the_o apostle_n the_o seventy_o disciple_n and_o the_o saint_n that_o have_v be_v raise_v again_o by_o jesus_n many_o witness_n of_o his_o resurrection_n it_o seem_v good_a to_o i_o also_o have_v have_v perfect_a understanding_n of_o all_o thing_n from_o the_o very_a first_o etc._n etc._n understanding_n how_o acquire_v from_o eye-witness_n not_o by_o revelation_n to_o write_v not_o thing_n dictate_v but_o in_o order_n the_o prophet_n than_o have_v another_o sort_n of_o impulse_n than_o luke_n who_o good_a design_n nevertheless_o may_v be_v ascribe_v to_o the_o holy_a spirit_n after_o the_o death_n of_o grotius_n there_o come_v out_o a_o three_o answer_n of_o rivert_n 4._o wherein_o he_o strive_v to_o defend_v the_o common_a opinion_n against_o his_o famous_a antagonist_n it_o appear_v plain_o by_o the_o manner_n of_o his_o answer_n that_o he_o believe_v that_o the_o holy_a spirit_n have_v dictate_v the_o scripture_n word_n for_o word_n and_o this_o opinion_n be_v know_v to_o be_v the_o common_a opinion_n of_o protestant_n who_o on_o all_o occasion_n call_v the_o sacred_a writer_n amanuensis_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n nay_o even_o catholic_n author_n gregory_n de_fw-fr valence_n bellarmin_n tolet_n and_o estius_n cite_v by_o rivet_n seem_v to_o have_v be_v of_o the_o same_o opinion_n cornelius_n à _fw-la lapide_fw-la who_o mr._n simon_n cite_v hold_v the_o same_o concern_v the_o law_n and_o the_o prophet_n though_o he_o confess_v it_o be_v not_o necessary_a that_o god_n shall_v dictate_v the_o word_n when_o it_o be_v only_a matter_n of_o history_n or_o of_o moral_a precept_n which_o may_v be_v know_v otherways_o so_o that_o it_o may_v be_v reasonable_o suppose_v that_o the_o great_a part_n of_o christian_a divine_n now_o adays_o be_v of_o the_o opinion_n of_o verbal_a inspiration_n if_o we_o may_v so_o call_v it_o since_o there_o be_v very_o few_o that_o say_v the_o contrary_a and_o those_o who_o do_v say_v it_o only_o of_o some_o book_n as_o cornelius_n à _fw-la lapide_fw-la every_o body_n know_v that_o not_o only_o in_o sermon_n but_o also_o in_o divinity-lecture_n upon_o any_o part_n of_o scripture_n some_o man_n strange_o wiredraw_v the_o word_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o seek_v after_o reason_n why_o the_o holy_a spirit_n as_o they_o speak_v make_v use_n of_o one_o expression_n rather_o than_o another_o the_o same_o thing_n they_o do_v also_o in_o commentary_n which_o will_v be_v altogether_o absurd_a if_o my_o supposition_n be_v admit_v that_o the_o style_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n human_a and_o even_o careless_a enough_o but_o this_o be_v because_o they_o common_o take_v the_o opinion_n of_o the_o jew_n for_o grant_v who_o have_v a_o proverb_n or_o general_a maxim_n concern_v the_o book_n of_o the_o law_n in_o which_o they_o believe_v all_o to_o be_v inspire_v even_o to_o a_o single_a letter_n that_o there_o be_v not_o a_o letter_n in_o the_o law_n whereon_o there_o depend_v not_o great_a mountain_n i_o be_o very_o glad_a however_o that_o mr._n simon_n declare_v himself_o open_o of_o the_o same_o opinion_n with_o i_o concern_v the_o style_n of_o the_o sacred_a writer_n i_o wish_v all_o protestant_n will_v do_v the_o same_o we_o shall_v then_o soon_o be_v free_a from_o many_o dispute_n that_o be_v ground_v upon_o nothing_o but_o grammatical_a subtlety_n we_o shall_v then_o perceive_v that_o we_o ought_v not_o rigorous_o to_o insist_v upon_o a_o great_a many_o expression_n in_o the_o utmost_a extent_n of_o their_o signification_n as_o if_o the_o sacred_a penman_n have_v speak_v with_o the_o same_o exactness_n as_o do_v geometrician_n we_o shall_v then_o understand_v that_o no_o doctrine_n which_o we_o esteem_v important_a aught_o to_o be_v ground_v bare_o upon_o certain_a manner_n of_o speak_v which_o we_o can_v be_v sure_o be_v exact_a because_o the_o sacred_a writer_n not_o affect_v exactness_n of_o style_n may_v have_v use_v that_o manner_n of_o expression_n without_o any_o design_n such_o be_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o antecedent_n imputation_n of_o the_o sin_n of_o adam_n which_o be_v found_v upon_o the_o comparison_n st._n paul_n make_v chap._n v._n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n between_o the_o grace_n that_o come_v by_o jesus_n christ_n and_o the_o sin_n that_o enter_v into_o the_o world_n by_o adam_n man_n stretch_v this_o comparison_n with_o too_o much_o rigour_n not_o consider_v that_o st._n paul_n style_n be_v the_o style_n of_o one_o that_o observe_v little_a exactness_n in_o his_o expression_n although_o in_o the_o main_a his_o argument_n be_v admirable_a and_o that_o the_o lay_v too_o great_a stress_n upon_o the_o turn_n of_o his_o phrase_n may_v expose_v we_o to_o the_o hazard_n of_o fall_v into_o gross_a error_n the_o general_a design_n that_o he_o propose_v to_o himself_o ought_v only_o to_o be_v stick_v to_o without_o insist_v particular_o upon_o every_o term_n and_o every_o distinct_a period_n which_o take_v separately_z and_o strict_o may_v ofttimes_o prove_v contrary_a to_o what_o he_o drive_v at_o those_o who_o be_v a_o little_a conversant_a in_o the_o dispute_n among_o protestant_n will_v easy_o see_v the_o importance_n of_o this_o remark_n the_o ingenuous_a acknowledgement_n of_o what_o there_o be_v of_o human_a in_o the_o sacred_a write_n will_v render_v the_o truth_n of_o our_o religion_n more_o conspicuous_a to_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o incredulous_a whereas_o it_o be_v hide_v from_o they_o by_o clothe_v it_o in_o certain_a notion_n which_o common_a sense_n make_v they_o reject_v and_o from_o among_o which_o they_o be_v not_o able_a to_o pick_v out_o the_o heavenly_a truth_n man_n fancy_n that_o for_o the_o establishment_n of_o religion_n it_o be_v requisite_a to_o maintain_v every_o thing_n or_o any_o thing_n that_o if_o true_a will_v be_v a_o invincible_a proof_n of_o it_o they_o cast_v therefore_o about_o in_o their_o own_o mind_n for_o such_o foundation_n as_o they_o conceive_v will_v make_v it_o most_o stable_a with_o this_o their_o brain_n become_v so_o heat_v that_o in_o the_o end_n they_o rash_o assert_v that_o these_o be_v the_o real_a foundation_n of_o religion_n and_o that_o if_o these_o be_v take_v
first_o person_n thou_o will_v not_o leave_v my_o soul_n in_o hell_n nor_o suffer_v thy_o holy_a one_o to_o see_v corruption_n etc._n etc._n add_v that_o this_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o david_n since_o he_o be_v dead_a and_o rot_a many_o year_n ago_o but_o that_o as_o he_o be_v a_o prophet_n and_o know_v that_o god_n have_v swear_v with_o a_o oath_n to_o he_o that_o of_o the_o fruit_n of_o his_o loin_n he_o will_v raise_v up_o christ_n to_o sit_v upon_o his_o throne_n he_o see_v this_o beforehand_o speak_v of_o the_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n when_o he_o say_v that_o his_o soul_n etc._n etc._n by_o which_o it_o appear_v that_o david_n speak_v in_o the_o first_o person_n know_v nevertheless_o that_o he_o speak_v not_o concern_v himself_o answer_n i_o do_v not_o say_v that_o david_n never_o prophesy_v in_o speak_v of_o himself_o as_o of_o a_o type_n of_o the_o messiah_n or_o that_o he_o understand_v not_o that_o in_o the_o proper_a and_o high_a sense_n of_o his_o word_n he_o speak_v concern_v the_o messiah_n though_o what_o he_o say_v have_v also_o some_o relation_n to_o himself_o i_o make_v no_o question_n but_o there_o be_v in_o the_o psalm_n divers_a prophecy_n of_o this_o nature_n it_o be_v plain_a david_n can_v not_o say_v of_o himself_o unless_o in_o a_o very_a metaphorical_a sense_n that_o god_n will_v not_o leave_v his_o soul_n in_o hell_n nor_o suffer_v his_o holy_a one_o to_o see_v corruption_n although_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o psalm_n may_v be_v suitable_a enough_o to_o he_o objection_n 3._o the_o curse_n in_o the_o cixth_o psalm_n be_v impute_v to_o a_o human_a passion_n yet_o st._n peter_n teach_v we_o act_v i._o 20._o that_o it_o be_v a_o prophecy_n it_o seem_v the_o better_a way_n therefore_o to_o take_v all_o those_o curse_n for_o simple_a prediction_n and_o not_o for_o imprecation_n and_o so_o to_o translate_v in_o the_o future_a tense_n thou_o shall_v set_v a_o wicked_a man_n over_o he_o and_o his_o adversary_n shall_v etc._n etc._n answer_n this_o may_v be_v a_o prophecy_n of_o that_o sort_n which_o we_o say_v be_v sometime_o pronounce_v without_o their_o be_v aware_a who_o pronounce_v it_o of_o which_o we_o bring_v some_o example_n which_o sort_n of_o prophecy_n be_v not_o inconsistent_a with_o a_o violent_a passion_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o example_n of_o caiaphas_n but_o indeed_o these_o expression_n can_v be_v translate_v in_o the_o future_a tense_n without_o extreme_a violence_n to_o the_o text_n and_o according_o the_o ancient_a interpreter_n as_o well_o as_o modern_a have_v make_v use_n of_o the_o imperative_a or_o optative_a mood_n nor_o ought_v it_o to_o seem_v strange_a that_o we_o think_v there_o be_v in_o this_o a_o excess_n of_o passion_n since_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o explain_v any_o other_o way_n those_o word_n of_o psalm_n cxxxvii_o happy_a shall_v he_o be_v that_o take_v and_o dash_v thy_o little_a one_o against_o the_o stone_n etc._n etc._n let_v any_o one_o compare_v the_o word_n of_o psal._n cix_o with_o those_o which_o a_o heathen_a poet_n put_v into_o the_o mouth_n of_o a_o desperate_a woman_n vivat_fw-la per_fw-la urbes_fw-la erret_fw-la ignotas_fw-la egens_fw-la exul_fw-la pavens_fw-la invisus_fw-la incerti_fw-la laris_fw-la quoque_fw-la non_fw-la aliud_fw-la queam_n pejus_fw-la precari_fw-la liberos_fw-la simile_n patri_fw-la similesque_fw-la matri_fw-la in_o fine_a if_o it_o be_v necessary_a to_o render_v all_o these_o word_n in_o the_o future_a tense_n to_o avoid_v make_v the_o psalmist_n pronounce_v such_o curse_n there_o be_v a_o great_a many_o other_o place_n where_o the_o version_n will_v need_v to_o be_v reform_v and_o where_o we_o shall_v be_v oblige_v to_o strain_v the_o text_n as_o may_v easy_o be_v perceive_v in_o turn_v over_o the_o book_n of_o psalm_n objection_n 4._o it_o have_v be_v say_v 26._o that_o inspiration_n seem_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o compose_n of_o pious_a hymn_n and_o conclude_v from_o thence_o that_o it_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v say_v that_o all_o such_o hymn_n be_v immediate_o inspire_v the_o same_o sort_n of_o argument_n have_v be_v apply_v also_o afterward_o to_o divers_a other_o place_n of_o scripture_n but_o it_o no_o way_n follow_v because_o inspiration_n be_v not_o absolute_o necessary_a that_o therefore_o there_o be_v none_o answer_n my_o argument_n prove_v not_o direct_o that_o there_o be_v no_o inspiration_n on_o these_o occasion_n but_o only_o that_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o the_o thing_n itself_o to_o induce_v we_o to_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v any_o and_o consequent_o that_o such_o inspiration_n be_v suppose_v without_o any_o necessity_n when_o a_o thing_n may_v be_v do_v by_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o have_v recourse_n to_o miracle_n hence_o i_o conclude_v that_o there_o ought_v to_o be_v no_o recourse_n to_o inspiration_n when_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o a_o book_n to_o make_v we_o believe_v it_o be_v inspire_v and_o when_o all_o that_o be_v in_o it_o may_v have_v be_v say_v without_o inspiration_n unless_o we_o have_v some_o positive_a proof_n that_o he_o who_o compose_v it_o be_v inspire_v now_o i_o maintain_v that_o there_o be_v no_o proof_n of_o this_o nature_n sufficient_a to_o persuade_v we_o that_o all_o the_o book_n of_o the_o scripture_n be_v inspire_v in_o the_o same_o manner_n that_o they_o be_v common_o say_v to_o have_v be_v objection_n 5._o it_o have_v be_v infer_v from_o the_o evident_a mark_n of_o meditation_n 27._o and_o pain_n take_v which_o appear_v in_o several_a place_n of_o the_o scripture_n as_o those_o where_o the_o verse_n begin_v with_o all_o the_o letter_n of_o the_o alphabet_n in_o order_n that_o those_o place_n have_v not_o be_v inspire_v but_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o inspiration_n exclude_v all_o sort_n of_o meditation_n and_o painstaking_a as_o mr._n simon_n have_v observe_v etc._n etc._n resp._n p._n 125_o etc._n etc._n answer_n i_o acknowledge_v that_o it_o can_v from_o thence_o be_v conclude_v that_o the_o matter_n be_v not_o inspire_v nor_o be_v this_o argument_n make_v use_v of_o but_o only_o against_o those_o who_o hold_v the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o very_a word_n that_o be_v to_o say_v principal_o against_o the_o generality_n of_o protestant_a divine_n there_o be_v certain_o little_a likelihood_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n will_v inspire_v such_o thing_n as_o those_o but_o the_o consequence_n i_o have_v draw_v from_o thence_o be_v only_o this_o that_o the_o style_v not_o be_v inspire_v we_o can_v be_v sure_a that_o the_o thing_n be_v unless_o the_o character_n of_o inspiration_n appear_v in_o those_o thing_n themselves_o or_o that_o we_o have_v otherwise_o some_o positive_a proof_n of_o it_o objection_n 6._o what_o have_v be_v say_v concern_v the_o inspiration_n of_o the_o sacred_a historian_n be_v not_o enough_o etc._n there_o aught_o to_o have_v be_v add_v also_o as_o mr._n simon_n have_v it_o that_o god_n direct_v the_o pen_n of_o 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a_o paralytic_a man_n to_o go_v etc._n etc._n that_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n unknown_a to_o we_o be_v prepare_v and_o ready_a to_o cause_v the_o lame_a or_o paralytic_a man_n to_o walk_v it_o be_v plain_a then_o that_o the_o philosophical_a difficulty_n allege_v against_o the_o testimony_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v not_o of_o so_o great_a force_n as_o the_o argument_n we_o have_v bring_v to_o confirm_v it_o nor_o can_v they_o rake_v place_n so_o long_o as_o a_o man_n be_v persuade_v of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o the_o first_o disciple_n of_o jesus_n christ._n and_o the_o truth_n be_v that_o those_o who_o make_v these_o objection_n do_v take_v this_o course_n only_o because_o they_o can_v possible_o allege_v any_o thing_n against_o the_o matter_n of_o fact_n which_o we_o have_v prove_v they_o endeavour_v to_o confound_v the_o mind_n of_o their_o admirer_n by_o obscure_a metaphysical_a argument_n and_o supposition_n which_o they_o can_v prove_v and_o which_o they_o assert_v 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the_o same_o disposition_n of_o mind_n towards_o the_o apostle_n that_o we_o have_v towards_o any_o person_n who_o sincerity_n be_v very_o well_o know_v to_o we_o and_o who_o we_o can_v not_o refuse_v to_o believe_v when_o he_o shall_v assure_v we_o of_o a_o thing_n he_o have_v see_v and_o hear_v and_o in_o which_o it_o be_v moral_o impossible_a that_o he_o shall_v be_v deceive_v the_o chief_a thing_n then_o be_v to_o be_v well_o assure_v of_o the_o integrity_n of_o the_o apostle_n which_o be_v easy_a to_o be_v do_v in_o follow_v the_o method_n we_o have_v describe_v otherwise_o while_o we_o attend_v not_o to_o the_o reason_n which_o give_v evidence_n thereunto_o we_o shall_v never_o be_v sufficient_o sensible_a of_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o other_o argument_n that_o may_v be_v bring_v to_o prove_v the_o divine_a original_a of_o our_o religion_n i_o entreat_v you_o sir_n to_o examine_v what_o i_o have_v say_v exact_o and_o to_o let_v i_o know_v if_o i_o have_v be_v to_o blame_v in_o 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