The exercise of a christian life. Written in Italian by the Reuerend Father Gaspar Loarte D. of Diuinitie, of the Societie of Iesus. And newly translated into Englishe. by I.S.

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Title
The exercise of a christian life. Written in Italian by the Reuerend Father Gaspar Loarte D. of Diuinitie, of the Societie of Iesus. And newly translated into Englishe. by I.S.
Author
Loarte, Gaspar de, 1498-1578.
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[London :: W. Carter,
1579]
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Christian life -- Early works to 1800.
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http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A06151.0001.001
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"The exercise of a christian life. Written in Italian by the Reuerend Father Gaspar Loarte D. of Diuinitie, of the Societie of Iesus. And newly translated into Englishe. by I.S." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A06151.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 24, 2025.

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OTHER meditations, wherein the better learned may at other times exercise them-selues: certaine also for the simpler sort, wherin the mi∣stortes of the Rosarie be intreated of.

¶ Cap. 10. (Book 10)

FOR SO MVCH as this exercise of praier is of so great profit; and that wher∣with the spiritual life is as it were norished and susteined: I haue thought good thus amply to entreat therof: and wil adde somewhat more in this chapter to that whiche hathe bene said already; desiring to satisfie both the learned and the ignorant; that is to say, both those that be more capable of this exercise, and suche as haue not so great capacitie; for the first sort wherof, the former medita∣tions be most fit and fruitful Neuer∣theles, to the ende they may haue more ample matter to meditate vp∣pon;

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some weeks they may interme∣dle * 1.1 the meditations of the life of Christe, which is deuided into three partes or periods.

1. THE FIRST is of the incarnatiō of the sonne of God vntil his bap∣tisme; wherein are conteined, his in∣carnatiō, natiuitie, circumcision, ado∣ration of the three wise men; presen∣tation in the temple; flight into E∣gipt; retourning to Nazareth; and of the finding of our Sauiour amidst the Doctors in the temple, when the blessed virgin had lost him. Of al the with misteries S. Luke and S. Ma∣thew write in the first Chapters of their Gospels. A man maye medi∣tate likewise, what he did from twelue yeeres vpwarde vntil his baptisme, according to euerye one their godlye deuotion, for that we finde nothing written thereof in the holy Gospel.

2. THE SECOND part of Christ his

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life beginneth at his baptisme, and continueth vntil his sacred Passion; wherein are comprehended his bap∣tisme, fasting, temptation in the wil∣dernes; his preachings, and many mi∣racles he wrought vntil his last sup∣per; whereof the historie of eche one may be gathered out of the holye Gospels.

3. THE THIRD part comprehendeth his last supper, his passion, resurrecti∣on, and ascension, wherof I haue alre∣dy entreated in the seuenth chapter.

These meditations of the life and miracles of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christe, may bee fitly distributed and meditated in one or two weekes, by suche as haue leisure and learning to gather the storye out of the holye Gospel; obseruing pardie in al their meditatiōs, the aduises & instructiōs abouesaid; especially, of picking fruit ful notes and doctrine for their souls,

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out of these holye misteries; and of gouerning them-selues in the begin∣ning and ending of eche one, as is a∣foresaide.

And for so much as the deuotion * 1.2 of the Rosarie is very laudable and grateful to our Lorde and Sauioure Iesus Christe, and to the blessed virgin his mother; as hath bene sufficientlye proued by the testimonie of manye miracles; and that in this kind of de∣uotion mental prayer may with gret good and gaine of our soules be put in vre; I haue thought good here∣withal to intreate of this exercise, that the simpler sort may with more commoditie, and lesse labour, find, if not al, yet the greter part of the fore∣saide meditations gathered here to∣gether: which both they maye, and ought to thinke vpon, in saying of the Rosarie; and thereby reape like∣wise the benefite of suche indulgen∣ces, as be graunted to those that in

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this wise doo say the same.

First therfore it is to be noted, that the whole Rosary and Psalter of our * 1.3 blessed Lady is deuided into three fifties, whereof eche one conteyneth fiftie Aue Maries and fiue Pater nosters. Nowe whiles eche of these three fif∣tie * 1.4 Aue Maries are in saying, there be three seueral sortes of misteries to be meditated on. In the first fiftie, ar the fyue ioyful misteries to be thought vpon; which are so called, for that in them we contemplate fyue special ioyes our Lady had before her sonne our Sauiours resurrection. In the se∣cond are meditated the fyue doleful misteries; so named, of fyue special and notorious panges of sorowe our Lady had, during the time of her sonnes most painful passion. In the third are the fyue glorious misteries meditated; so termed of the fyue most glorious and plesant ioyes our Lady had after her sonne his moste glorious resurrection.

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[illustration]
EFFIGIEM Lucas Mariae quā pinxerat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 * 1.5 Ista refert viuo viua colore tibi.

THE fiue ioyful misteries of the first fifthe are these in maner folowing. * 1.6

WHILES the firste ten Aue Maries and one Pater noster are a saying, me∣ditate the misterie of the incarnatiō; * 1.7 howe the blessed virgin being do∣uoutly kneeling at prayers in her

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poore lodginge; the Angel a 1.8 Gabriel came and greeted her with that ce∣lestial Ambassage. Meditate here the speeches that passed betwixt her and the Angel; and the inspeakable vertue our Ladye shewed, in the re∣ceauing of this Ambassage. First, that modestie and silence wherwith she gaue eare to the message; without vt∣tering any wordes her-self but most necessary; a right commendable ver∣tue, especially in women. Secondlye, that profound humilitie which cau∣sed her so seemely bashfulnes, in hea∣ring her owne praises spoken of. Thirdly, that entier affection and zeale she bare to chastitie; whereof she first of al others had made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her vowe; and that albeit so souerain a dignitie were tendered her, as to be the mother of God: yet would she be right wel assured, in no wise to dis∣taine that virginal puritie, which she so singulerlye esteemed. Fourthlye,

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that perfect faith, which S. Elizabeth * 1.9 so highly commended in her; for ha∣uing beleeued suche thinges as the Angel told and promised her on the behalfe of our Lorde, albeit they sur∣passed al mans reach and vnderstan∣ding. And hereby maiest thou learne to credite the wordes and promises of God, seeme they neuer so incredible to humane iudgement. Fiftly, that lowly obedience, wherewith in fine she resigned vp her selfe wholly into the hands of God, saying: b 1.10 Ecce ancilla Domini. &c. Beholde the handmaide of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy worde. Whence thou must learne, to doo the same in eche thing it shal please God to worke, in, or by thee.

IN THE second tenne Aue Maries * 1.11 and Pater noster meditate the seconde ioyful misterie, which is the visitatiō of S. Elizabeth; howe the most holye virgin knowing by the c 1.12 Angels wor∣des, that her cousin was conceaued

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with childe, went in humble wise to visite her; whom after she had louing ly saluted, Elizabeth was forthwith replenished with the holy ghost, and inspeakable ioyes; as wel appered by the wordes she spake vnto her. In this worke our Lady geueth thee ex∣ample; that looke howe much thou feelest thy selfe more inriched with Gods good giftes and fouorable gra∣ces, so muche art thou to shewe thy selfe more lowly and charitable to∣wardes thy neighbours, for whose sakes, and not thine owne onely pri∣uate benefite, thou hast receaued thē. And that in such like works of cha∣ritie, thou doo them with feruor and diligence, as the moste sacred virgin did herein towardes S. Elizabeth. Consider also what great vertue and * 1.13 efficacie the voice of this great Lady the virgins salutation was of, seing a 1.14 S. Elizabeth confessed, how presently after she had once heard her speake,

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she forth-with felt in her-selfe such strange matters, and wonderful alte∣rations. Thou oughtest therefore to be very careful in oft seruing and sa∣luting her, that so thou deserue to be comforted and holpen by her puis∣sant speeche and praier. Learne with∣al, when thou hearest thy selfe pray∣sed, or art giltie of any good part in thee, to attribute al to God; and to geue him thankes for al, as here our blessed Lady did in her deuout Can∣ticle * 1.15 of Magnificat. &c. My soule doth mag∣nifie our Lorde.

IN THE THIRDE ten Aue Maries * 1.16 meditate the third misterie, which is of the natiuitie and birth of Christe; wherein thinke first, how Cesar Au∣gustus hauing caused proclamations to be made for eche one to enroule their names in suche chiefe Cities as they belonged too; the moste sacred virgin (the mirrour of al humilitie) being redy to obey this decree, went

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from Nazareth to Bethleem in so cold a season, and with so great pain, as her great pouertie must needes cō∣strain and force her. Note here, with how rigorous an austeritie the sonne of God; whō she bare in her wombe, would before his birth perfourme O∣bedience, and haue his mother to doo the same, were it neuer so painful to her; that thou shouldest hereby learn of them to be humble and obedient in al seasons, and occasions whatsoe∣uer. Secondly contemplate, in what extreme pouertie the king of al kinges vouchsafed to be borne; and bound vp in poore swadling-clouts, * 1.17 and laide in a cribbe and manger of brute beastes. Weigh withal, that loue and lowlye reuerence his bles∣sed mother adored him with; as Ioseph also, and the Angels did; who with exceeding gladnes, and sweete heuēly harmonie, denounced this his

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birth to the poore shepherdes. Mer∣uailous examples maiest thou finde in al this discourse, of humilitie, po∣uertie, * 1.18 austeritie, mortification, pati∣ence; and aboue al, of infinite charitie which caused this heauenly yonge babe beginne to suffer such annoyes in his so tender age; Indeuour thou likewise to imitate the poore Shep∣herdes, in their pouertie, simplicitie, and watchfulnes; if thou desire to be visited by the Angels, and made par∣taker of these diuine misteries, as they were.

IN THE fourth tenne Aue Maries * 1.19 meditate the fourth ioyful misterie; which is of the presentation; howe fortie dayes being now expired, that our a 1.20 blessed Lady the virgin had cō∣tinued in Bethleem in so great penu∣rie and manifolde distresses; she then departed to Ierusalem, there to pre∣sent her sonne in the temple. Weigh here likewise the ioye that Simeon

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adored him with, and embraced him a 1.21 in his armes; as also the other thinges he then foretolde and prophecied of him. Whereout note this lesson, to be diligent in presenting thee eftsons in the temple, and to behaue thy self there with reuerence and attention; that by so doing, thou learn to know and loue Christ better by such thin∣ges as are there intreated and pub∣likely spoken of him. Consider also that sweete canticle of Nunc dimittis Lorde, thou lettest now thy seruant depart in peace. &c. which sheweth plainly the feruent and zealous spirite of that olde father S. Simeon, and the great consolation he then receaued; and thinke, how such as be of his partes, and qualities, to wit; just, and vertu∣ous, and that desire the sauegarde of their soules, such shal merite to be made partakers of the like fauours and celestial graces.

IN THE fifte tenne Aue Maries, me∣meditate

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the fifte ioyful misterie; which is, of the ioye our blessed La∣dye * 1.22 had, when hauing lost her sonne she found him againe amongst the a 1.23 doctours in the Temple. Meditate here the sorowe and painful diligēce, wherwith both the most sacred vir∣gin, and her holy husbande Iosephe wandred vp and downe, seeking him amongst his kinred and acquaintāce; and after, seing they could by no meanes finde him there, howe they trauailed backe againe to Ierusalem; not resting, til they found him in the Temple amongst the Doctours. Thinke nowe, what ineffable ioye that virginal heart was seased with, hauing thus founde out her treasure; with what entier affection she recea∣ued him to her; and howe carefullye she kept him from loosing him any more. Forth of al this thou maiest * 1.24 learne; firste, to seeke this selfe same

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Lord with like paines and diligence, when thy soule hath lost him; and thinke not to finde him amongst a 1.25 kindred and acquaintance; to wit, amongst the folies and fond delights of fleshe and bloud; but rather in re∣nouncing and mortifying of the same; and finally, thou shalt find him in the temple, in the middest of doc∣tours; that is to say, harkening de∣uoutly to Gods worde, and frequen∣ting eftsons the blessed Sacramentes of Confession, and of the Aultare. Learne likewise, after thou hast once founde him by meanes of these most holy exercises, to keepe him with al careful custodie, that thou loose him not an-other time.

This order must thou likewise keepe in saying the Aue Maries and Pater nosters of the other two fifties folowing.

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THE dolourous misteries of the se∣cond * 1.26 fiftie be these.

THE FIRST is of our Lordes prai∣er in the garden, wherein meditate, * 1.27 how the Redeemer of the world ap∣proching nere his death, and feeling him-self assaild with greuous afflic∣tions, fel downe to his prayers, saying these wordes: a 1.28 My father, if it be possible, let this cupp passe from me, howbeit, not my wil but thy wil be done. And thus praied he three feueral times til the Angel came and comforted him. Whence * 1.29 thou maiest learne this lesson; howe in al thine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thou oughtest to make thy refuge to feruent pray∣er for thy remedie, repeting the selfe same words our Sauiour spake; and perseuering in thy prayer without fainting; for no doubt, but God at length wil heare thee, when he shal deeme it most expedient and neces∣sarye * 1.30 for thy welfare.

THE SECOND dolourous misterie

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is of the a 1.31 scourging of our Lord. Me∣ditate here the barbarous crueltie, wherwith he was straitly tied to the piller, and there most cruelly scour∣ged and wounded from toppe to toe, he suffring al their vilanous outra∣ges in milde maner like an innocent b 1.32 Lambe. Whence, learne thou, not to * 1.33 beate him any more with thy sinnes; and patiently to abide such chastise∣mentes and afflictions as God shal laie vpon thee.

THE THIRD dolourous misterie * 1.34 is of the crowning of Christe; wher∣in meditate the sharpe thornes he was crowned with, & his sacred head al to torne and perced; the mockes and scoffs likewise they dissembling∣lye adored him with; smiting him af∣terwardes with the reede they had earst geuen him in his handes. Learne * 1.35 hereby to detest thy pride and haw∣tines, which caused this his cruel crowning; and with greater, both out

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ward and inward reuerence to adore him; least haply thow be like to those that thus dissēblingly did scorn him

THE FOVRTH dolorous miste∣rie * 1.36 is, how our Sauour being now ad∣judged to dye, caried the crosse on his a 1.37 owne backe, to the place of execu∣tion. Where, note the greeuous paine and shameful reproche wherwith he bore the same, to be crucified theron; as also the inspeakable griefes his mother and the other deuout women felt, seing him thus feloniously marti∣red; and forget not the words he then spake vnto thē. b 1.38 Hence gather out this doctrine; that no remedie, but as Christe him-selfe said, thou must needes cary thy c 1.39 crosse to folow him; that is to say, thou must patientlye abide the paines and persecutions that in this life shal befal thee.

THE FIFTE dolourous misterie * 1.40 is of the crucifying of Christe, wher∣in meditate those moste bitter tor∣mentes

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he felt, whiles they nailed him on the roode, and afterwardes heaued him on high thereon; the paines he likewise suffered in eche part of his body, and al his senses; remember also * 1.41 the wordes he spake thus hanging on the roode. Gather here this lesson, howe to be Christes seruaunt, thou must a 1.42 crucifie thine owne flesh with al thy vices and concupiscences; and comfort thy selfe in al thy woes and griefes; beholding what Christe hath on the roode in this wise suffered for thy sake.

THE third Rosarie or fiftie, is of the * 1.43 glorious misteries, whereof-

THE FIRST is of Christes resur∣rection: * 1.44 wherin meditate the beautie, glory, and maiestie he rise vp in; and howe he appered afterwardes to his blessed mother; b 1.45 to good Mari Mag∣dalen with other the deuout women, and his Disciples. Marke wel

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here in what glory and ioy we hope one day to rise again after our death; whervnto we must by the toiles and troubles of this life atteyne; as Christ him-selfe did by the paines of his crosse and bitter passion.

THE SECOND glorious misterie * 1.46 is of our Lord and Sauiour his Ascē∣sion. Contemplate here, how the for∣tie day after his Resurrection, he a 1.47 last∣lye of al appered to his disciples, be∣ing set at table; and commaunded thē to get them vp to the mount Oliuet; where, after he had taken his leaue and louing farewel of his blessed mo∣ther and his disciples, b 1.48 mounted vp with great glory and triumphe into heauen, accompanied with legions of Angels; and such Saintes, as he earst had deliuered out of Limbo. Take out here this lesson, that who so c 1.49 hū∣bleth him-selfe most in this life, shal afterwardes be moste exalted in the other, as we see in this example of

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our Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christe.

If any desire more ample discourse and consideration of these two glo∣rious misteries; and of the fiue dolo∣rous aforesaide; let them reade the se∣uenth Chapter aboue, where they are more largely amplified and set out; and in that respect be here more briefly spoken of; my meaning being in this place to serue their turnes chiefly, that haue lesse capacitie and leisure to vse this exercise of medi∣tation.

THE THIRD glorious misterie is * 1.50 of the comming downe of the holye ghoste vpon the disciples. Wherein meditate, how both they and the o∣ther holy women that loued Christe being altogether with his blessed mo∣ther in the dining chamber a 1.51 at pray∣er, the holye ghoste came downe in fierie b 1.52 tonges, and wonderfully reioy∣ced and comforted them al; mi∣nistring to them great strength to go

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and preache abroade, as wel appered both by the notable courage and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 efficacie, wherewith they preached publiquely without anye feare; as also by the multitude of peo∣ple which were thereby forthwith a 1.53 conuerted: whence gather this note; that to receaue the holy ghoste, thou must be in perfect peace and charitie towardes al men; and withal attende diligently to deuout and feruent prai∣er. * 1.54 Note furthermore; that then shalt thou be strong inough to hazard thy selfe in any peril for Christes cause; and thy speeches and spirite shal-be then of force and strenght to stirre vp and inflame others their frosen heartes; when thine owne shal firste be perfectlye kindled and inflamed with this heauenly fire, which the Apostles receaued as this day: * 1.55

THE FOVRTH glorious misterie is of the Assumption of our blessed

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Ladye; Meditate here, how the Apo∣stles being nowe departed to preache rounde about the worlde, the blessed virgin our Lady remained stil in Ie∣rusalem; geuing her-selfe to contem∣plation; and visiting deuoutlye and eftsons those holy places, wherin her sacred sonne had earst wrought the misteries of our redemption. And being thus occupied, wel maye we beleeue, she by continual sute of prayers required to be drawen out of this life; and conducted thither where she might see her most sweet * 1.56 sonne. Who after certaine yeeres con∣descending to this her sute and hum∣ble petition, came him-selfe downe, accompanied with troupes of holye Angels, and tooke with him this moste happye soule, carying it into heauen with great ioye and inesti∣mable exultation. Marke here what a commendable and verye fruit∣ful

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exercise it shal-be for thee, eftsons in minde to visite these very places, where this redemption of ours was wrought; meditating deuoutlye the misteries therof, as we may right wel suppose the most holy virgin did. Note moreouer, howe in this life (be∣ing a vale of toiles and teares) thou oughtest to passe the time as in an a 1.57 exile; sighing, sorowing, and desiring to be conducted vp to that heauenly region, where the true life is, in com∣panye of that moste happy mother, and of her derelye beloued sonne. Hereby maiest thou likewise vnder∣stande, how greatly this Lord and so∣ueraine Monarche is to be loued and obeyed; who both can and wil so highly reward and fauour those that serue and loue him loially, as here thou meditatest he hath done towar∣des his most loial and louing mother. * 1.58

THE FIFTE glorious misterie is of the crowning of our blessed Ladye;

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where meditate, howe that after her assumptiō (according as we right ho∣lily doo beleeue) that moste happye soule associated with millions of ho∣lye Angels, came downe to ioyne it selfe to her virginal body; which be∣ing raised vp, became moste beauti∣ful, bright, immortal, and impassible; and so with incomparable glory and honour was she crowned of the most sacred Trinitie; and placed in a moste pretious throne aboue al the Angels, on the right hand of her intierly be∣loued sonne. Here maiest thou cal to minde, that albeit in this life thy bo∣dy be pincht and punished with pe∣nance, disciplines, and other mortifi∣cations; yet shal it afterwardes rise vp immortal, impassible, glittering, and a 1.59 beautiful; like as here thou contem∣platest the virginal body of our bles∣sed Lady to haue done. Marke here lik ewise, what efficacie the praiers of this most soueraine Lady are of, be∣ing

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thus highly exalted and beloued of God; and therefore oughtest thou to labour al thou canst, to be reuerent and deuout towardes her; that by so doing, it may please her to fauor and helpe thee in thy needes.

In this wise is the whole Rosary to be said at least once euery weeke; and both these and other like profitable lessons to be picked out, as God shal vouchsafe by means of thy deuotion to suggest & bring thē to thy mind.

There may also be an-other exer∣cise framed of the Rosarie; whereout * 1.60 the simpler sort maye likewise reape good fruite; as to laye the picture of Christe before their eyes; and at eue∣rye part where he suffered anye tor∣ment or gricfe, there to say a Pater nos∣ter * 1.61 or Aue Mary; contemplating the whiles of that griefe and paine. In like maner maiest thou doo before the picture of our blessed Ladye, cal∣ling to minde the ioyes or sorowes

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she suffred, either in seing hearing, or touching her sonne; as-wel in al his life time, as in his passion and painful death. Otherwhiles likewise thou maiest offer vp an Aue Mary or Peter noster, thinking of the Angels and ho∣lye Saintes of both sexe; especiallye such as thou hast moste deuotion to; recommending thee to their praiers and intercessions; and thus maiest thou with great ease gaine great gra∣ces of our Lord and blessed Sauiour

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