sharp_a and_o although_o now_o it_o be_v fall_v into_o a_o lame_a hand_n the_o unworthiness_n of_o the_o preacher_n in_o this_o place_n to_o manage_v it_o yet_o enforce_v with_o the_o assistance_n of_o god_n arm_n it_o may_v prove_v able_a to_o give_v the_o deadly_a blow_n to_o four_o egloâ—…_n sin_n tyrannize_v in_o too_o many_o man_n heart_n 1._o supine_a negligence_n in_o matter_n of_o salvation_n 2._o busie_n meddle_v in_o other_o man_n matter_n 3._o preposterous_a curiosity_n in_o unsearchable_a mystery_n 4._o continual_a waver_a or_o scepticalness_n concerning_o our_o call_v and_o election_n supine_a negligence_n be_v dispaâ—…ched_v in_o that_o word_n give_v diligence_n this_o grace_n of_o assurance_n be_v unattainablâ—…_n by_o ease_n and_o idleness_n busie_n meddle_v in_o other_o man_n matter_n be_v destroy_v in_o the_o particlâ—…your_fw-mi eâ—…ch_fw-mi one_o ought_v principal_o to_o intend_v his_o own_o assurance_n prepostâ—…rous_a curiosity_n be_v stabâ—…ed_v with_o the_o order_n of_o the_o word_n call_v and_o election_n not_o election_n and_o call_v man_n must_v fiâ—…t_o begin_v to_o assure_v their_o call_v and_o then_o 〈◊〉_d argue_v and_o infer_v the_o assurance_n of_o thâ—…ir_a election_n continual_a waver_a be_v wound_v under_o the_o five_o rib_n in_o the_o conclusion_n of_o my_o text_n sure_a we_o will_v but_o touch_v at_o three_o first_o and_o land_n at_o the_o last_o as_o the_o chief_a subject_n of_o our_o ensue_a discourse_n this_o grace_n of_o assurance_n be_v not_o attainable_a with_o ease_n and_o idleness_n christianity_n be_v a_o laborious_a profession_n observe_v god_n servant_n clean_o through_o the_o scripture_n resemble_v to_o man_n of_o painful_a vocation_n to_o racer_n who_o must_v stretch_v every_o sinew_n to_o get_v first_o to_o the_o goal_n to_o wrestler_n a_o troublesome_a employment_n so_o that_o i_o be_o unresolved_a whether_o to_o recount_v it_o among_o toil_v or_o exercise_n at_o the_o best_a it_o be_v but_o a_o toilsome_a exercise_n to_o soldier_n who_o be_v in_o constant_a service_n and_o daily_a duty_n always_o on_o the_o guard_n against_o their_o enemy_n beside_o we_o minister_n be_v compare_v to_o shepherd_n a_o painful_a and_o dangerous_a profession_n among_o the_o jew_n to_o watchman_n which_o continual_o wake_v for_o the_o good_a of_o other_o so_o that_o beside_o the_o difficulty_n of_o our_o christian_a calling_n we_o be_v encumber_v with_o other_o which_o attend_v our_o ministerial_a function_n let_v none_o therefore_o conceit_n that_o salvation_n with_o the_o grace_n accompany_v it_o whereof_o this_o assurance_n we_o treat_v of_o be_v a_o principal_a be_v to_o be_v compass_v with_o facility_n without_o constant_a care_n and_o endeavour_v to_o obtain_v it_o how_o easy_o be_v the_o man_n in_o the_o gospel_n let_v down_o to_o our_o saviour_n in_o the_o house_n whilst_o four_o man_n for_o he_o uncover_v the_o roof_n thereof_o let_v he_o down_o with_o cord_n lie_v quiet_o on_o his_o couch_n some_o may_v suppose_v that_o with_o as_o little_a hardship_n they_o may_v be_v lift_v up_o to_o heaven_n and_o that_o while_o they_o lazy_o lie_v snort_a on_o their_o bed_n of_o security_n never_o mortify_v their_o lust_n never_o strive_v for_o grace_n never_o struggle_v against_o their_o corruption_n they_o shall_v be_v draw_v up_o to_o happiness_n or_o it_o let_v down_o to_o they_o mere_o by_o the_o cord_n of_o god_n mercy_n and_o christ_n merit_n such_o man_n without_o amendment_n will_v one_o day_n find_v themselves_o dangerous_o deceive_v and_o that_o it_o be_v a_o laborious_a task_n to_o gain_v either_o the_o sureness_n or_o assurance_n of_o salvation_n wherein_o according_a to_o the_o apostle_n prescription_n we_o must_v give_v diligence_n to_o make_v your_o each_o christian_a be_v principal_o to_o endeavour_v the_o assurance_n of_o his_o own_o call_v and_o election_n indeed_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v that_o parent_n beside_o themselves_o be_v assure_v of_o the_o true_a sanctity_n so_o by_o consequence_n of_o their_o call_v and_o election_n of_o themselves_o multiply_v the_o child_n god_n have_v give_v they_o of_o the_o second_o part_n of_o their selves_o lie_v in_o their_o bosom_n their_o wife_n of_o tâ—…ue_a grace_n in_o their_o friend_n and_o family_n how_o comfortable_a be_v it_o if_o minister_n be_v ascertain_v of_o true_a grace_n and_o piety_n in_o the_o breast_n and_o bosom_n of_o the_o people_n commit_v to_o their_o charge_n but_o the_o best_a way_n to_o pass_v a_o rational_a verdict_n on_o the_o sincerity_n of_o sanctity_n in_o another_o be_v first_o to_o find_v a_o experimental_a evidence_n thereof_o in_o one_o own_o heart_n a_o philosopher_n complain_v that_o it_o be_v a_o exceed_a hard_a thing_n to_o find_v a_o wise_a man_n true_a say_v another_o for_o he_o must_v be_v a_o wise_a man_n that_o seek_v he_o and_o know_v when_o he_o have_v find_v he_o and_o hence_o arise_v the_o difficulty_n because_o two_o wise_a man_n in_o effect_n must_v meet_v together_o the_o seeker_n and_o the_o finder_n it_o be_v a_o hard_a thing_n in_o like_o manner_n to_o be_v assure_v of_o unfeigned_a faith_n and_o undissembled_a devotion_n in_o another_o man_n heart_n because_o first_o that_o party_n must_v have_v a_o feeling_n of_o the_o operation_n of_o grace_n in_o his_o own_o soul_n otherwise_o blind_a man_n be_v incompetent_a judge_n of_o colour_n before_o he_o can_v make_v his_o presumption_n of_o holiness_n in_o another_o from_o those_o sacred_a symptom_n and_o fruit_n of_o piety_n which_o he_o find_v in_o his_o own_o conscience_n let_v it_o therefore_o be_v every_o man_n main_a work_n first_o to_o make_v a_o scrutiny_n in_o his_o own_o soul_n to_o make_v his_o own_o call_v and_o election_n sure_o how_o contrary_a be_v this_o to_o the_o common_a practice_n of_o most_o in_o the_o world_n it_o be_v a_o tale_n of_o the_o wander_a jew_n but_o it_o be_v too_o much_o truth_n of_o too_o many_o wander_a christian_n who_o home_n be_v always_o to_o be_v abroad_o professor_n in_o spiritual_a palmistry_n who_o will_v undertake_v to_o read_v the_o life-line_n the_o line_n of_o eternal_a life_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o man_n soul_n though_o for_o all_o their_o â—…kill_n they_o often_o mistake_v the_o hand_n of_o esau_n for_o the_o hand_n of_o jacob_n approve_v many_o hypocrite_n for_o their_o holiness_n and_o condemn_v sincere_a soul_n for_o counterfeit_n and_o dissembler_n call_v and_o election_n man_n be_v not_o to_o launch_v into_o the_o depth_n of_o predestination_n at_o the_o first_o dash_n but_o first_o sober_o to_o begin_v with_o their_o call_v or_o vocation_n sure_o the_o very_a angel_n which_o climb_v up_o the_o ladder_n in_o jacob_n *_o 12._o dream_n do_v first_o begin_v at_o the_o last_o and_o low_a round_n first_o look_v to_o find_v thy_o justification_n and_o sanctification_n than_o thy_o adoption_n and_o vocation_n last_o thy_o election_n and_o predestination_n but_o alas_o as_o the_o hebrew_n read_v their_o letter_n backward_o so_o it_o be_v to_o be_v fear_v that_o too_o many_o preposterous_o invert_v the_o order_n of_o my_o text_n and_o instead_o of_o call_v and_o election_n read_v election_n and_o call_v first_o grasp_a at_o those_o mystery_n both_o in_o their_o practice_n and_o discourse_n which_o be_v above_o their_o reach_n as_o if_o their_o soul_n fear_v to_o be_v â—…unne_n aground_o if_o sail_v in_o the_o shallows_o of_o faith_n and_o good_a work_n they_o never_o count_v themselves_o safe_a but_o when_o adventure_v in_o those_o secret_n wherein_o they_o can_v find_v no_o bottom_n we_o be_v now_o come_v to_o the_o young_a part_n in_o the_o text_n to_o which_o we_o intend_v a_o benjamin_n portion_n bâ—…ing_v to_o discourse_n of_o the_o certainty_n of_o call_v and_o election_n not_o in_o respect_n of_o god_n predestination_n it_o be_v from_o all_o eternity_n sure_a in_o he_o *_o 8._o from_o the_o beginning_n of_o the_o world_n god_n know_v all_o his_o work_n but_o in_o reference_n to_o man_n apprehension_n concerning_o the_o assurance_n thereof_o and_o now_o lest_o our_o discourse_n like_o *_o 15._o jordan_n in_o the_o first_o month_n shall_v overflow_n we_o will_v raise_v these_o bank_n to_o bridle_v it_o and_o consider_v 1._o that_o assurance_n of_o call_v and_o election_n be_v feasible_a in_o this_o life-to_o be_v attain_v 2._o what_o this_o assurâ—…nce_n be_v 3._o how_o a_o christian_n buckle_v and_o appli_v it_o to_o his_o soul_n 4._o we_o will_v satisfy_v some_o doubt_n and_o difficulty_n in_o this_o behalf_n 5._o we_o will_v conclude_v with_o comfortatable_a use_n to_o all_o sort_n of_o christian_n of_o the_o first_o that_o assurance_n of_o one_o call_v and_o election_n may_v without_o any_o miraculous_a revelation_n be_v in_o this_o life_n acquire_v appear_v plain_a in_o the_o text_n because_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o simplicity_n of_o the_o dovelike_a spirit_n exhort_v we_o to_o the_o attain_n thereof_o now_o sure_o it_o have_v be_v no_o better_a
many_o of_o they_o testify_v the_o truth_n of_o that_o minor_a proposition_n namely_o the_o sincerity_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o repentance_n the_o three_o and_o last_o witness_n we_o will_v insist_v on_o be_v that_o comfort_n and_o contentment_n the_o conscience_n of_o the_o party_n takâ—…s_v in_o do_v good_a work_n and_o bring_v forth_o the_o fruit_n of_o new_a obedience_n that_o though_o he_o know_v his_o best_a good_a work_n be_v stain_v with_o corruptioâ—…s_n and_o many_o imperfection_n yet_o because_o they_o be_v the_o end_n of_o his_o vocation_n and_o the_o justifier_n of_o his_o faith_n because_o thereby_o the_o gosâ—…ell_n be_v grace_v wicked_a man_n amaze_v some_o of_o they_o convert_v the_o rest_n confound_v weak_a christian_n confirm_v the_o poor_a relieve_v devil_n râ—…pining_v at_o they_o angel_n rejoice_v for_o they_o god_n himself_o glorify_v by_o they_o i_o say_v because_o of_o these_o and_o other_o reason_n he_o do_v good_a deed_n with_o hâ—…mility_n and_o cheerfulness_n and_o find_v a_o singular_a joy_n in_o his_o soul_n result_v from_o the_o do_v thereof_o this_o joy_n be_v a_o excellent_a witness_n to_o depose_v the_o truth_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o repentance_n and_o to_o confirm_v the_o minor_a in_o the_o former_a syllogism_n see_v here_o though_o good_a work_n on_o just_a ground_n be_v exclude_v our_o text_n yet_o in_o due_a time_n and_o their_o proper_a place_n we_o have_v entertain_v they_o in_o our_o sermon_n if_o good_a work_n offer_v to_o crowd_v into_o our_o justification_n let_v we_o be_v so_o bold_a as_o to_o shut_v the_o door_n against_o they_o but_o if_o we_o have_v any_o to_o come_v iâ—…to_o our_o sanctification_n thereby_o also_o to_o aveâ—…re_v and_o attest_v the_o truth_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o repentance_n let_v we_o say_v to_o they_o as_o laban_n to_o jacob_n why_o stand_v you_o without_o come_v in_o you_o bless_v of_o the_o lord_n and_o this_o joy_n conceive_v from_o the_o good_a work_n man_n do_v be_v the_o more_o pure_a the_o more_o private_a the_o more_o sincere_a the_o more_o secret_o it_o be_v carry_v i_o shall_v ever_o commend_v the_o modesty_n of_o elisabeth_n who_o aâ—…ter_v long_a barrenness_n find_v herself_o with_o child_n do_v not_o publish_v her_o happiness_n to_o the_o view_n of_o the_o world_n but_o hide_v herself_o three_o â—…oneths_n if_o after_o too_o long_a sterility_n in_o goodness_n thou_o perceive_v thyself_o at_o last_o by_o god_n grace_n pregnant_a in_o pious_a work_n vent_v not_o thy_o good_a success_n in_o the_o marketplace_n do_v not_o boast_v and_o brag_v thereof_o in_o discourse_n to_o other_o but_o be_v content_v to_o enjoy_v the_o solid_a comfort_n thereof_o betwixt_o god_n and_o thy_o own_o conscience_n soâ—…_n much_o for_o the_o thâ—…ee_a witness_n to_o confirm_v the_o truth_n of_o the_o minor_n all_o that_o i_o shall_v add_v be_v this_o let_v we_o who_o be_v or_o shall_v be_v scholar_n take_v heed_n who_o our_o parent_n or_o friend_n have_v breed_v at_o the_o fountain_n of_o learning_n and_o religion_n till_o our_o portion_n be_v almost_o shrink_v into_o our_o education_n let_v we_o take_v heed_n least_o silly_a simple_a pâ—…ople_n who_o never_o read_v aristotle_n organon_n never_o know_v how_o to_o mould_v argument_n in_o mood_n and_o figure_n make_v this_o syllogism_n true_a in_o their_o heart_n by_o their_o supernatural_a logic_n while_o we_o with_o all_o our_o wit_n and_o 〈◊〉_d learning_n make_v at_o the_o best_a but_o a_o solecism_n aâ—…d_v thereby_o put_v a_o dangerous_a fallacy_n upon_o our_o own_o soul_n but_o here_o we_o must_v propound_v and_o answer_v some_o objection_n the_o resolution_n whereof_o may_v tend_v both_o to_o our_o instruction_n and_o comfort_n the_o object_n first_o be_v this_o whether_o all_o the_o servant_n of_o god_n now_o live_v and_o in_o the_o state_n of_o grace_n be_v for_o the_o present_a assure_v of_o their_o call_v and_o election_n so_o that_o if_o instant_o arrest_v to_o pay_v their_o debt_n to_o nature_n they_o be_v as_o confident_a of_o their_o soul_n mount_v up_o to_o heaven_n and_o happiness_n as_o of_o their_o body_n fall_v down_o to_o dust_n and_o corruption_n we_o divide_v the_o congregation_n of_o god_n servant_n now_o survive_v into_o rank_n first_o *_o act_o mnason_v answ._n old_a disciple_n senior_n professor_n of_o 〈◊〉_d *_o 3â—…_n hannah_n which_o have_v live_v many_o year_n in_o the_o temple_n serve_v god_n with_o â—…asting_v and_o prayer_n night_n and_o day_n these_o by_o frequent_a act_n have_v contract_v a_o habit_n of_o piety_n gâ—…ace_n by_o custom_n be_v make_v another_o nature_n unto_o they_o especial_o towards_o the_o latter_a end_n of_o their_o life_n partly_o because_o their_o soul_n do_v steal_v a_o glymp_n glance_n or_o pisgah-sight_n of_o heaven_n through_o the_o cleft_n and_o chinkes_n of_o their_o age_n or_o sickness-broken-body_n and_o partly_o because_o as_o all_o motion_n be_v swift_a the_o near_a it_o come_v to_o the_o centre_n so_o they_o the_o near_o they_o draw_v by_o deaâ—…h_n to_o heaven_n god_n spirâ—…t_n and_o all_o goodness_n grow_v more_o quick_a and_o active_a in_o they_o of_o tâ—…ese_n we_o say_v that_o it_o be_v often_o observe_v god_n deal_v so_o gracious_o with_o thâ—…m_n as_o to_o crown_v their_o endeavour_n with_o a_o assurance_n of_o salvation_n to_o such_o i_o may_v add_v those_o who_o i_o may_v call_v young-old-christians_n who_o profession_n of_o christ_n though_o short_a have_v be_v thick_a though_o young_a in_o year_n yet_o they_o have_v not_o only_o do_v but_o suffer_v for_o christ_n religion_n have_v cost_v they_o dear_a they_o have_v not_o only_o be_v summer_v but_o winter_v in_o piety_n have_v not_o only_o pass_v prosperity_n but_o have_v be_v acquaint_v with_o adversity_n therein_o great_a travelor_n in_o christianity_n which_o have_v cut_v the_o line_n and_o have_v pass_v the_o torrid_a zone_n of_o persecution_n and_o which_o be_v more_o of_o a_o wound_a conscience_n these_o also_o god_n may_v admit_v into_o the_o former_a form_n and_o out_o of_o his_o undeserved_a mercy_n reward_v they_o with_o the_o assurance_n of_o their_o salvation_n but_o all_o star_n which_o shâ—…ne_v in_o heaven_n be_v not_o of_o the_o first_o greatness_n neither_o be_v all_o of_o david_n worthy_n to_o be_v equal_v with_o the_o first_o three_o other_o christian_n there_o be_v who_o in_o god_n due_a time_n may_v mate_v the_o former_a both_o in_o grace_n and_o glory_n puny_n in_o piety_n novice_n in_o religion_n of_o such_o i_o say_v not_o one_o of_o a_o hundred_o whatsoever_o they_o may_v erroneous_o pretend_v to_o the_o contrary_a be_v assure_v of_o their_o call_v and_o eleâ—…tion_n if_o further_o it_o be_v demand_v whether_o every_o saint_n of_o god_n belong_v to_o election_n have_v not_o at_o one_o time_n or_o other_o in_o his_o life_n or_o at_o his_o death_n this_o assurance_n convey_v into_o his_o soul_n i_o must_v confess_v that_o heâ—…rein_o the_o stream_n of_o learned_a man_n judgement_n runnâ—…_n not_o only_o in_o different_a but_o contraâ—…y_a channel_n some_o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o god_n be_v so_o gracious_a and_o magnify_v his_o mercy_n so_o much_o in_o his_o proceed_n towards_o his_o â—…ervants_n that_o the_o very_a mean_v in_o the_o family_n of_o faith_n have_v some_o proportion_n of_o this_o assurance_n confer_v upon_o they_o during_o their_o abode_n in_o this_o life_n other_o divine_n no_o 〈◊〉_d inferior_a to_o the_o former_a in_o number_n learning_n religion_n and_o christian_a experience_n mainâ—…aine_v the_o opposite_a opinion_n that_o god_n sometime_o be_v so_o please_v to_o try_v the_o patience_n and_o humble_v the_o heart_n of_o some_o of_o his_o servant_n that_o a_o continual_a fear_n be_v a_o constant_a cover_n of_o their_o eye_n they_o go_v heavy_o all_o the_o day_n long_o never_o dare_v for_o fear_n of_o presumption_n to_o own_v and_o acknowledge_v any_o grace_n in_o their_o heart_n alwai_o â—…jealous_a of_o their_o own_o condition_n and_o sad_o suspicious_a of_o themselves_o lest_o all_o their_o 〈◊〉_d prove_v hypocâ—…isie_n and_o their_o piety_n be_v more_o in_o proâ—…ession_n then_o 〈◊〉_d those_o may_v be_v 〈◊〉_d â—…nto_n child_n in_o their_o mother_n belly_n which_o have_v true_a life_n in_o they_o and_o yet_o themselves_o do_v not_o know_v that_o they_o live_v for_o my_o own_o part_n i_o conceive_v this_o controversy_n can_v only_o be_v decide_v betwixt_o god_n and_o a_o man_n own_o conscience_n no_o three_o person_n can_v be_v privy_a to_o the_o secret_a transaction_n betwixt_o they_o the_o last_o of_o these_o two_o opinion_n so_o far_o as_o one_o may_v conjecture_v have_v most_o of_o charity_n and_o not_o the_o least_o of_o truth_n in_o it_o i_o be_o persuade_v that_o many_o a_o pious_a soul_n die_v in_o the_o fit_a of_o a_o tâ—…mptation_n have_v instant_o expect_v to_o sink_v from_o his_o deathbed_n into_o hellfire_n when_o the_o same_o by_o god_n goodness_n have_v be_v
countermand_v a_o contrary_a way_n and_o send_v to_o bliss_n and_o happiness_n yea_o it_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a that_o many_o sad_a and_o affliâ—…ted_a spirit_n have_v be_v possess_v of_o glory_n in_o heaven_n before_o they_o dare_v ever_o own_o that_o themselves_o have_v any_o true_a grace_n on_o earth_n the_o next_o question_n which_o come_v to_o be_v resolve_v be_v whether_o this_o assurance_n once_o possess_v may_v not_o afterwards_o be_v forfeit_v here_o the_o controversy_n be_v not_o whether_o once_o the_o child_n of_o god_n may_v relapse_n into_o the_o state_n of_o damnation_n total_o and_o final_o lose_v all_o save_a grace_n in_o his_o heart_n which_o desperate_a position_n cut_v asunder_o the_o sinew_n of_o all_o gospelcomfort_n but_o it_o be_v only_o inquire_v into_o whether_o the_o apprehension_n or_o assurance_n of_o his_o call_n may_v not_o in_o some_o case_n be_v lose_v wherein_o our_o answer_n be_v affirmative_a and_o this_o usual_o come_v to_o pass_v on_o 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with_o such_o hideous_a and_o horrible_a cross_n doleful_a tribulation_n dismal_a temptation_n so_o that_o the_o brimstone_n of_o hellfire_n may_v plain_o be_v scent_v therein_o thus_o holy_a job_n when_o god_n discharge_v whole_a volley_n of_o chain-shot_n of_o affliction_n against_o he_o one_o draw_v on_o another_o we_o find_v he_o sometime_o vent_v expression_n rank_o savour_v of_o despair_n and_o no_o wonder_n if_o he_o begin_v to_o stagger_v who_o have_v drink_v so_o deep_o of_o the_o bitter_a cup_n and_o now_o conceive_v ourselves_o in_o some_o measure_n to_o have_v satisfy_v the_o most_o important_a practical_a query_n wherewith_o this_o doctrine_n of_o assurance_n be_v encumber_v we_o come_v to_o make_v some_o profitable_a application_n the_o grâ—…cians_n have_v a_o threefold_a song_n the_o old_a man_n sing_v we_o have_v be_v the_o middle_a age_a man_n we_o be_v the_o young_a man_n we_o shall_v be_v this_o song_n will_v serve_v to_o divide_v my_o auditor_n at_o this_o time_n some_o sing_v we_o have_v be_v there_o be_v a_o happy_a time_n wherein_o we_o be_v ascertain_v of_o our_o câ—…lling_n and_o election_n but_o now_o alas_o poor_a soul_n i_o have_v lose_v it_o other_o sing_v we_o be_v for_o the_o present_a in_o the_o peacible_a possâ—…ssiâ—…n_n of_o such_o assurance_n other_o â—…g_v we_o shall_v be_v in_o god_n due_a time_n when_o his_o goodness_n and_o wisdom_n see_v fit_a such_o a_o happiness_n shall_v be_v bestow_v upon_o we_o we_o begin_v with_o the_o first_o that_o sing_v we_o have_v be_v o_o that_o it_o be_v in_o my_o power_n as_o well_o to_o help_v as_o to_o pity_v you_o to_o amend_v as_o to_o bemoan_v your_o condition_n it_o be_v the_o great_a misery_n that_o one_o have_v once_o be_v happy_a all_o your_o song_n be_v a_o burden_n the_o best_a advice_n i_o can_v prescribe_v unto_o you_o be_v this_o serious_o consider_v with_o yourselves_o which_o way_n you_o lose_v this_o assurance_n of_o your_o salvation_n be_v it_o by_o commit_v a_o 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