|2011/1 John Calvin: His Life and Ministry. Some lessons on his 500th anniversary (2009)
by EL Loh (pastor, Subang Jaya RBC, Malaysia.)
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Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).
We are exhorted to follow good examples that are set before us in the church. John Calvin is one such person whose legacy has endured up to the present time. Many people have different opinions on Calvin. The intention of this author is not to provide a comprehensive study of the man, but a brief overview of his life and to glean from it some spiritual lessons that we can apply in our respective ministries.
Calvin was born Jéan (John) Cauvin (Calvin) on 10 July 1509 in the town of Noyon (roughly 100km north of Paris) in France. He was the second of three sons who survived childhood. His father, Gérard Cauvin, had a prosperous career as the cathedral notary, a person licensed by the state to verify signatures and the person’s identity when they sign legal documents, and registrar to the church court. It was a remarkable achievement to break from the family’s lower-class status by virtue of being a ‘boatman’s son and bringing him into a middle-class family status. His mother died a few years after Calvin's birth and his father remarried after that with 2 daughters of their own.
Gérard intended his three sons for the priesthood. Jéan (hereon referred to as John) was particularly bright & gifted; by the age of twelve, he was employed by the bishop as a clerk and had the honour of cutting his hair (giving him a bald spot) to symbolise his dedication to the Roman Catholic Church. Calvin was very much taken up by the Roman church and became very dutiful to that church system. His natural intelligence and quick memory won the favour of the bishop and an upper-class family who provided for his educational needs. All these were not possible if not for Gerard’s strong vision to ensure success for his family name; not unlike the typical Chinese family mentality in Asia today. John Calvin became independent, self-assured, polished and well liked in that society of the middle-upper class.
Through these connections, Calvin was able to attend college in Paris to learn Latin and philosophy (for 4 years). His background at this time was disciplined (as the college he attended were on the severe side). A typical day; 4am-6am lectures, breakfast, 8am-10am discussions on the lecture, 11am lunch with bible reading with prayers and announcements, 12pm – questioned on morning’s work, 3pm-5pm classes followed by discussion on classes, dinner, questionings, which ends at 8pm, their typical bedtime. Where others struggled with the demands of the school regime, Calvin excelled.
Calvin changed course to study law in southwest of Paris in 1525 or 1526. The reason: Gérard withdrew his son from philosophy (the foundation for theology at that time) and enrolled him in the university to study law. Gérard believed his son would earn more money as a lawyer (like him) than as a priest. It was during this time, in his new environment that Calvin encountered some friends who were of the Reformation. One in particular taught him concerning the ‘true religion’ which can only be found in the Scriptures alone. This caused him to search the scriptures for himself and sometime during this (late 1529 or early 1530) period Calvin experienced a sudden religious conversion from Roman Catholicism to true Christianity.
He likens his Christian conversion to that of David (although he humbly states that what he experienced pales in comparison compared to what David experienced); David was a shepherd boy who became a king because of God’s sovereign choice of taking him from the sheepfold and was raised to the throne. Calvin was led by his father in a certain direction and then God took him from where he was and place him into the path of God’s choosing!
I was too [stubbornly] devoted to the superstitions of [the pope] to be easily torn from such spiritual deadness... because [my mind] was hardened in such matters that was taught and practiced by me since my childhood. [But] God by a sudden conversion subdued (tamed) and brought my mind to a teachable [condition]. Having thus received some taste and knowledge of true godliness, I was immediately inflamed with so intense a desire to [grow in Christ], that although I did ... leave off my law studies, yet I pursued them with less zeal. I was quite surprised to find that before a year had elapsed, all who had any desire after true doctrine were continually coming to me to learn, although I myself was ... a mere beginner.
Preface to the Commentary of the Psalms
A man who was walking down the pathway set by his father and by the carrot of worldliness (fame, status and prosperity) has now been laid hold by God and made to see his true condition before God. He found freedom from the slavery to self-righteousness in his saviour, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for sinners just like him. No longer was he now driven by his own ambition or that of his father’s, now he has seen a glimpse of God’s glory and it has infused in him spiritual regeneration to enable him to enjoy spiritual truths! His spiritual eyes are now opened and he can only satisfy that new-found hunger by continually seeking after God in His Word. This is true conversion that we long to see also in our day and generation; must not be content on superficial conversions that are the norm for many churches of our own generation.
His Zeal and Vision
Being a Protestant on the Run
His father passed away in 1531 and therefore he was free to pursue what was in his heart without any reservations. In 1533, in Paris, tensions rose at the main university of that city; one of the reformers, Nicolas Cop, was to become the principle of the university. He devoted his inaugural address to the need for reform and renewal in the Catholic Church. The address provoked a strong reaction from the faculty, who denounced it as heretical, forcing Cop to flee. Calvin, a close friend of Cop, was implicated in the offense (because of his close ties), and for the next year he was forced into hiding.
He remained on the move, sheltering with his friends in various parts of France because of violent attacks against Protestants (the Placard incident). In March 1536, Calvin published the first edition of his Institutes of the Christian Religion. The work was a defence of his faith and a statement of the doctrinal position of the reformers, which he deemed necessary after witnessing the death and execution of many protestant brethren who were also wrongly represented by the Roman Catholics.
His Fear of God
After going back and forth in his hometown and trying to find a purpose for him to be in France, Calvin decided that there was no future for him there. In the second half of 1536, he set off for Strasbourg, a free city and refuge for reformers. Due to military battles, he was forced to make a detour to the south, bringing him to Geneva. Calvin had only intended to stay a single night, but William Farel, a fellow French reformer residing in the city, implored Calvin to stay and assist him in reforming the church there. Eventually Calvin accepted Farel’s call knowing that it is from God.
The office to which he was initially assigned is unknown. He was eventually given the title of "reader", which most likely meant that he could give expository lectures on the Bible. Sometime in 1537 he was selected to be a "pastor", although he never received any pastoral consecration. For the first time, the lawyer-theologian took up pastoral duties such as baptisms, weddings, and church services.
His Passion for Reform
In 1536, Farel drafted a confession of faith while Calvin wrote separate articles on reorganising the church in Geneva. In early 1537, Farel and Calvin presented their “Articles on the Organisation of the Church and its Worship at Geneva” to the city council (committee). The document described the manner and frequency of their celebrations of the Lord’s Supper, the reason for and the method of excommunication, the requirement to subscribe to the confession of faith, the use of congregational singing in the service, and the revision of marriage laws. The council accepted the document on the same day.
However, Calvin and Farel's reputation and relationship with the council began to suffer throughout the year. The council was reluctant to enforce the subscription requirement as only a few citizens had subscribed to their confession of faith. People were suspicious of them because the two ministers were Frenchmen and rumours were spreading that France was taking an interest in forming an alliance with Geneva. Finally, a major quarrel developed when another city, Bern, an ally of Geneva proposed to introduce uniformity in the church ceremonies which requires the use of unleavened bread for the Lord’s Supper. The two ministers were unwilling to follow and were ordered by the council to use unleavened bread for the Lord’s Supper held on the Easter of that year; in protest, the ministers did not administer communion during the Easter service. This caused a riot during the service and the next day, the council told the ministers to leave Geneva. Geneva was happy to be rid of the ‘stubborn’ reformer, John Calvin, who was harsh in his methods (according to them).
His Fear of God Remained
Calvin believed that his ministry in Geneva was ‘disastrous and unsuccessful’ and believed that he was right to be spending time in his studies and in writing. But then, Calvin was invited to lead a church of French-refugees in Strasbourg by that city's leading reformers, Martin Bucer. This was where he wanted to go initially to lead a quiet life of study and writing books & tracts. Initially Calvin refused because Farel was not included in the invitation, but when Bucer appealed to him (strongly and using Jonah as an example) Calvin relented. By September, Calvin had taken up his new position in Strasbourg, fully expecting that this time it would be permanent; a few months later, he applied for and was granted citizenship of the city.
During his time in Strasbourg (1538–1541), Calvin ministered to four or five hundred members in his church. He preached or lectured every day (alternate weeks) with two sermons on Sunday weekly. Communion was celebrated monthly and congregational psalm-singing was encouraged. He also concentrated on his writing works.
True zeal comes out of a fear of God and not man. It is a fear and reverence for God’s glory. Calvin was not begrudgingly doing his work; he submitted it ‘as the will of God’ and therefore gave his utmost for God’s glory, fighting against his natural discomfort and insecurity. Zeal or passion for God is not about doing something because we feel prepared, secure and ready – it is in spite of our insecurity, but resting completely on the Sovereignty and Sufficiency of God.
It is for his zeal for God’s word that drove him out of the city of Geneva. His vision of living a life in conformity to God’s Word not only in the mind but also in practice was not what the people wanted to commit themselves to. They wanted the name and the benefits of a ‘reformed protestant’ city but wanted nothing to do with real change in the heart, which spills into their lifestyle. It was not to set up a legalistic outlook, but was to ensure that the people would capture the glory of God in their lives and worship Him alone. But nothing was to move him if that is what God calls for in His Word in spite of the opposition because he knew that the cost of disobedience would be too dear. Compromise is but a dent in the armour that the evil one is waiting to exploit.
Nor would he give himself over to the ‘itching ears’ of these spiritually stubborn people (2 Timothy 4:3). Lest we think he is too harsh, we can see that he was also gentle, although frank and honest (excommunication was rarely evoked, but admonishments were aplenty) with the people. Are we ready to be rejected and to get poor results because of our faithfulness for God’s revealed Word? Or are we only prepared to follow His Word as long as it brings in ‘good results’ in our eyes?
Calvin’s zeal was truly tempered by the knowledge of God. This is a wakeup call for many of us who seek to justify that zeal and passion for the practicalities of the Gospel ministry is sufficient for us to overlook matters of doctrines. True obedience and faithfulness is like the faithful servant who fully utilised what the Master has given and had a right understanding of the Master’s intention, unlike the unfaithful servant (Matthew 25:21 compared to v.25-26). True zeal loves God’s commandments (1 John 5:3).
His Commitment to Reforms / Persistence
Geneva had begun to reconsider its expulsion of Calvin. Church attendance had dwindled and the political climate had changed. When a Roman Catholic Cardinal (Sadoleto) wrote a letter to the city council inviting Geneva to return to the Catholic faith, the council searched for someone to respond to him and asked for Calvin. At the end of 1540 the council sought a way to recall Calvin. His reaction to the suggestion of returning to Geneva was one of horror in which he wrote to Farel, "Rather would I submit to death a hundred times than to that cross on which I had to perish daily a thousand times over."
Despite his hesitation, he also wrote that he was prepared to follow the Lord's calling – “I remember that I am not my own, I offer up my heart, presented as a sacrifice to the Lord. Therefore I submit my will and my affections, subdued and held-fast, to the obedience of God; and whenever I am at a loss for counsel of my own, I submit myself to those by whom I hope that the Lord himself will speak to me." Therefore, it has become Calvin’s personal motto in a picture of a flaming heart held up in a hand (I offer up my heart promptly & sincerely).
By summer 1541, it was finally decided that Strasbourg would lend Calvin to Geneva for six months. Calvin returned on 13 September 1541 and quite unlike his first entry into Geneva as a refugee, he arrived with an official escort and a wagon for his family.
Reform in Geneva
In supporting Calvin's proposals for reforms, the council of Geneva in 1541 passed a rule for Church and state matters to be separated between the church court and the Consistory (church court ruled by elders and ministers). Calvin believed in discipline and in the need to ensure that the sheep of his flock would be guided to a true worship of God in spirit and in truth; not mere lip-service. Calvin also introduced congregational singing instead of choir singing in their worship services. People would be brought to see the Consistory for various problems (e.g. missing church, wrong speaking, breaking the Lord’s Day, slander, etc.) 800+ out of 13,000 population would meet the Consistory a year. Lord’s Day was kept within the city; no sales were allowed during service.
Discipline and opposition
Calvin encountered bitter opposition to his work in Geneva. Around 1546, the uncoordinated forces grouped into an identifiable group whom he referred to as the “libertines”. According to Calvin, these were people who felt that after being liberated through grace, they were exempt from both church and civil law. The group consisted of wealthy, politically powerful, and interrelated families of Geneva (the ‘modern’ people of the times).
Threats to Calvin: There was a threat of throwing Calvin into the river. Some people named their dogs after “Calvin”. Some made statements like, “I prefer to hear three dogs barking than to listen to him preach” and “Did you know, hell has only two devils, and there goes one of them!” He even received death threats and received 40 to 50 shots from rifles let off in front of his house and during worship service.
The libertines continued their opposition, taking opportunities to stir up discontent, to insult the ministers, and to defy the authority of the eldership. The city council refused to side either parties. After a libertine supporter started to influence the council, Calvin began to suffer some losses before the council. Calvin believed he was defeated; on 24 July 1553 he asked the council to allow him to resign. Although the libertines controlled the council, his request was refused. The opposition realised that they could curb Calvin's authority, but they did not have enough power to banish him.
Even at this time when his influence was so low, Calvin would not stop an ounce of his conviction: when excommunicated Libertines wanted to partake of the Lord’s Table and rushed forward to take the sacraments, Calvin flung his arms around the sacramental elements as if to protect them from sacrilege saying "These hands you may crush, these arms you may lop off, my life you may take, my blood is yours, you may shed it; but you shall never force me to give holy things to the profaned, and dishonour the table of my God (Beza)."
Michael Servetus (1553) and the End of Opposition
The turning point in Calvin's battle with the Libertines occurred when Michael Servetus, a fugitive from Roman Catholic authorities, appeared in Geneva on 13 August 1553. Servetus was a Spaniard who boldly criticised Christian dogma. In particular, he rejected the doctrine of the Trinity. He was expelled from many places because he was publishing anti-trinity books and pamphlets. The Inquisition in Spain ordered his arrest.
At first Calvin wanted to “win him for the Lord” (according to Stickelberger). They exchanged letters debating doctrine until Calvin lost patience and refused to respond because of Servetus’ contentious spirit; by this time Servetus had written around thirty letters to Calvin. The copy of Institutes was heavily annotated with arguments pointing to “errors” in the book. When Servetus mentioned that he would come to Geneva if Calvin agreed, Calvin told him that he was not welcomed in Geneva (indirectly gleaned from his letter to Farel) and did not communicate with him anymore.
The Catholic church of France arrested Servetus and found his letters to Calvin as evidence of heresy; but he denied having written them. He managed to escape from prison, and the Catholic authorities sentenced him in absentia to death by slow burning. On his way to Italy, Servetus stopped in Geneva for unknown reasons and attended one of Calvin's sermons. Servetus, the notorious heretic was of course apprehended for being a wanted man by most states! Calvin was called as a chief witness to prove that Servetus was a heretic. The only other thing that Calvin did was to ask for a more human sentence for Servetus.
The libertines thought that a friend of the Roman Catholics would be a friend of theirs; therefore they allowed the trial to drag on in an attempt to harass Calvin. The Swiss churches were asked (to put down Calvin’s expert opinion) but their answer were affirmative of Calvin’s; Servetus was condemned a heretic. Servetus was burnt alive on top of a mountain of his own books. After the death of Servetus, the libertines’ power began to decline. In a series of foolishness on their part, the leaders of the libertines were exiled and executed and opposition against Calvin’s reformed ended. Calvin’s reformed in Geneva was unhindered till his death, 10 years later.
Calvin taught us that we have to submit to the sovereign will of our Lord despite the past failures and challenges. We cannot decide based on our security (contingency planning). There will be risk, but that is why we must look forward (to the Kingdom) and not back (to the world) as illustrated in Luke 9:62 "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
The other point of application is the need to persevere in the Lord’s Work. Change and reform takes time, and more importantly, it takes commitment. Many of us would wish that the flock we tend are obedient and have a right spirit within them. But they are not. We have to look to Jesus Christ in His own dealings with His disciples who were equally thick and slow (Jesus rebuked the disciples many times in the gospels for their lack of understanding); He bore up with their stubbornness in His patience. He did not give up on them and change the line-up of disciples.
His Humility and Compassion
His Family Life
In Strasbourg, his friend’s noted Calvin’s poor health. This was not surprising as he was not a good manager of his own affairs. They insisted that his impatience and irritability might be softened by marriage. Calvin was willing to hear and listen to the advice of his friends and sent Farel a list of attributes he sought in a wife. He was not concerned with physical beauty, so long as she was chaste, sensible, economical, patient and would take care of his health.
In August 1540, he married a widow named Idelette de Bure, who had two children (one boy & one girl) from her first marriage. Idelette gave birth to a son, Jack, but he was born prematurely and survived only briefly. Idelette’s health was affected from then on and she fell ill in 1545 and died in 1549 (a brief 9 years marriage). Calvin never married again. Lest we think this is a man who was cold, and unfilling, we see the love he had for his wife expressed in his sorrow written to a friend: I have [lost] the best friend of my life, of one who, if it has been so purposed, would willingly share not only my poverty but also my death. During her life she was the faithful helper of my ministry. From her I never experienced the slightest hindrance (trouble).
He refused any monetary aids beyond what was stipulated by his contract with the council, and gave liberally from his meagre stocks to those in need. He had no personal possessions; his house and furniture were owned by the council contrary to rumours of him amassing wealth. At his death, the only money he had to give out was divided between his children (wife’s) and the college.
A Pastor’s Heart
He wrote his letters with much thought and compassion, often going to where the reader is and bringing them to where God would want (like the example of the shepherd searching out the lost sheep and carrying it back to the fold). So much care is given that he personally wrote by his hand all letter correspondences until somewhere in the 1550’s for fear of offending anyone. In a letter written to a reformer who had lost his younger son to the plague of that age, Calvin begins:
“When I first received the knowledge of the death of Claude (the tutor) and of your son Louis, I was so utterly overpowered that for many days I was fit for nothing but to grieve.... The son whom the Lord had lent you for a season (time) He has taken away. There is no ground, for those silly and wicked complaints of foolish men – “O blind death! O horrid fate! O cruel fortune!” The Lord at this stage of his career has called him away. What the Lord has done, we must... consider has not been done rashly, nor by chance, neither [from external forces], but by that determined counsel which He [deems] good and wholesome for us.”
(pg 246, 248, Letters of John Calvin, Volume I)
Calvin was very serious on the need for pastor’s to be shepherds of the flock with a heart after their Master: Commenting on Acts 20:20 where Paul describes his manner of ministry among the Ephesians “teaching you publicly, and from house to house”
For Christ hath not appointed pastors upon this condition, that they may only teach the Church in general in the open pulpit; but that they may take charge of every particular sheep, that they may bring back to the sheepfold those which wander and go astray, that they may strengthen those which are discouraged and weak, that they may cure the sick, that they may lift up and set on foot the feeble (and infirmed), for common doctrine will oftentimes wax cold, unless it be helped with private admonitions. Wherefore, the negligence of those men is inexcusable, who, having made one sermon, as if they had done their task, live all the rest of their time idly; as if their voice were shut up within the church [building] walls, seeing that so soon as they [leave], they are to be dumb.
Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles
Missionary Vision and Work
Calvin was most interested in reforming his homeland, France. He wanted evangelical Christians to stand firm instead of merely having ‘little by little’ approach to reformation. When people thought his approach is extreme, he wrote back by saying,
“....it is not a question of their opinion or mine. I show what I have found in Scripture. And I have not made up my mind in a hurry, but have pondered the matter frequently. What is more, I say only what is well known, what none can contradict without blatantly denying the Word of God... Nicodemus came to Jesus by night in the time of his ignorance. After he had been taught, he confessed him openly by day, even at the hour of the greatest peril.”
Parker, T.H.L., pg. 179
He supported the building of churches by distributing literature and providing ministers. Between 1555 and 1562, over one hundred ministers were sent to France, funded entirely by the church in Geneva (not the council or state as they were opposed with any missionary activities). Eventually, these spread to include the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Scotland and England. Calvin formed a missionary team to be sent to Brazil at the opportunity given by the Grand Admiral of France in 1556, however, that amounted to nothing as not too long into the trip, the leader went back to the Roman Catholics fold and disbanded the group (some killed by the former leader).
It takes a humbled heart to acknowledge the losses and pain he had to endure in his family and in ministry. He did not lash out at God and thought God unjust. Instead, he guarded his heart by not putting roots into this world. The moment our attention is moved from that heavenly kingdom where we are heading and plant our feet on the things in this world more and more (insisting on our rights) and not emphasizing on self-denial more and more, we become susceptible to a proud heart that does not want to lose out on leaving a legacy in this world (Matthew 6:33). Calvin could endure many things and become example to many because his heart is not weighted by the troubles of this world.
But Calvin also shows us that he was not only a teacher and writer, but also a pastor at heart. A pastor has both tenderness for his flock and the far-sightedness for flocks that are not his. This is a challenge to many of us to check our own heart and actions; to heed Calvin’s warning against a pastor who only treats their role as a job to be executed. Calvin knew how to shepherd his flock because he only had to look at our Chief Shepherd as an example.
His Labour, Weaknesses and Death
His Legacy & Labours
From his late 20’s on, Calvin suffered many physical infirmities: impaired digestion (he only ate one meal a day), migraines, lung haemorrhages, tuberculosis, chronic asthma, kidney stones, frequent fever, and gout. He did not sleep more than four hours a night. Even when he was ill, he kept four secretaries going with dictation in both French and Latin.
He revised and expanded the Institutes over the course of his life, until the final 1559 edition (from 6 chapters to 4 volumes). He wrote commentaries on almost every book of the Bible. His correspondence to leaders of the Reformation around the world and to others takes up 11 volumes. He preached two different sermons every Sunday, plus every day on alternate weeks (6 a.m., 7 in the winter). He preached 123 sermons on Genesis, 200 on Deuteronomy, 159 on Job, 174 on Ezekiel, 189 on Acts, 342 on Isaiah and many more. He averaged 170 sermons per year. The weeks he was not preaching every day he lectured three times to pastoral students. He also met every Thursday with the church leaders to handle cases and issues that needed his comments and counsel, counselled with numerous individuals, and entertained many guests at his home.
In all that he has written, preached and counselled, one theme of God stands out above the rest; the Sovereignty of God. It is because of God’s sovereignty and power that he preached the doctrine of election (predestination) and on human depravity for he will not pervert or change any of God’s Word from its original interpretation (to the best of his knowledge). He wanted only to be faithful to God and to show God’s glory for what it is.
It is true that Calvin played his part in the execution of Servetus as a heretic. However it would be stretching a bit too far to accuse him of outright murder, for Servetus was already a condemned man in virtually all the States in Christendom (Roman and Protestant alike). This is still a blot that many people put against him (intolerance they call it), while neglecting Calvin’s compassionate dealings with Servetus while the latter was in jail towards the end of his life (often visiting him daily to bring him to repentance of his errors).
John had a bad temper and was easily irritated, to which he confessed and asked for forgiveness from the council many times (especially at his death bad). His lack of sympathy and understanding to those who believe in Believer’s Baptism is also bemoaned by us who are from the Reformed Baptist. In the end, John Calvin was not perfect nor would he ever lay claim to such bold a statement. He knew full well that he is merely a sinner before God.
In autumn 1558, Calvin became ill with fever. Shortly after he recovered, he strained his voice while preaching, which brought on a violent fit of coughing. He burst a blood-vessel in his lungs, and his health steadily declined thereon. For him death was agonizing for he did not have the comfort of failing senses; his mind was still very active and awake! He feared only the lost of speech. Eventually he preached his final sermon in church on 6 February 1564. Calvin died on 27 May 1564 aged 54. He was buried in an unmarked grave according to his wishes.
For all his faults and his imperfections, John Calvin will always be remembered as the Reformer who preached what he saw daily; the Sovereignty, Majesty, Power of a Holy God that is revealed in the pages of Scripture. It is to that God that he surrenders everything.
In this brief account, we have seen how God has changed the life of a self-righteous young man who walked the way of the world and enslaved to a god of his own creation, to a life that relies only on the righteousness of Jesus Christ that was purchased at the Cross. We have seen how his zeal and vision stems from an unyielding stand on God’s Word and his persistence in ensuring that God’s work is done to the best of his ability. We have also seen his heart as a pastor and in his family, considered his labour and his death. Although 500 years have passed since his birth, yet Calvin will continue to be remembered. We remember him because he put no confidence in investing on worldly activities, but solely on the Word of God. Although all things will perish, the word of God will continue forever. Where are you investing your ministry in?
A voice says, "Cry!" And I said, "What shall I cry?"
All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
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