432 The NATURE and POWER the finner, and that the whole punishmentof-it, ifnot graciously prevent, ed, will be his lot alfo. We have therefore, as we faid, in thefe words the whole progress of tuft, or indwelling fin, by the way of fubtilty, fraud and deceit, ex- preffed and limited by the Holy Ghtift And from hence we (hall manifeft the particular ways and means whereby it puts forth its power and efficacy in the hearts of men by deceitfulnefs and fubtilty ; and we may obferve in thewords. r: The utmoft end aimed at in all the a&ings of fin, or the tendency of it in its own nature, and that is death_; fin when it is finiiJhed bringeth forth death; the everlasting death of the finner; pretend what it will, this is the ends it aims atand tendsunto. Hiding ofends and defigus, is the principal property of deceit. This fin doth to the utmoft; other things in- numerable it pleads, but notonce declares that it aims at the death, the ever- laftingdeath ofthe foul. And afixed apprehenfion of this endof every fin, is a bleffed means to prevent its prevalency in its way ofdeceit or beguiling. a. Thegeneral way of its ailing towards that end, is by temptation , every man is tempted .of bis own lufl. I purpofe not to fpeak in general of the nature of temptations, it belongs not unto our prefent purpofe, and befides I have done it elfe where. It may fuffice at prefent to obferve, that the life of temptation lies in deceit. So that in thebufinefs of fin, to be effe&ually tempted, and to be beguiledor deceived, are the fame. Thus it was in the fifft temptation, it is every where called the ferpent's beguiling or decei- ving, as was manifelted before: theferpent beguiled Eve, that is, prevailed by his temptations upon her So that every man is tempted, that is every nian is beguiled or deceived by hisawn lull, or indwelling fin, whichwe have often declared to be the fame. The degrees whereby fin proceedeth in this work of tempting or deceiving, are five. For we (hewed before, that this belongs unto the nature ofdeceit that it works bydegrees, making its advantage by one ftep togain another. (r.) The firft of thefe confifts in drawing off, or drawing away; every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lull. (a.) The fecond is in enticing; and is enticed. (3.) The third, in the conception of fin; when lull hatb conceived, when the heart is enticed, then luft conceives in it. (4.) The fourth is the bringing forth of fin in irs a&ual accomplifhnient, when lull bath conceived it bringsforth fin. In all which there is a fecret allufion to an adulterous deviation from conjugal duties, and conceiving or bringing forth childrenof whoredom and fornication. (s.) The fifth is, the finilbing of fin, the compleating of it, the filling up ofthe meafure of it, whereby the end originally defigned by luft is brought about;finwhen it isfrnifbed, bringingforth death. As luft conceiving, naturally and necelfarily bringing forth fin, fo fin finilhed, infallibly pro- cureth eternal death. Thefirst ofthefe relates to the mind; that is drawn off, or drawn away be the deceit of fin. The fecond unto the affe&ions, they are enticed or intangled. The third to the will, wherein fin is conceived; the confent ofthe will being the formal conception of aftual fin. The fourth to the converfation wherein fin is brought forth ; it exerts itfelf in the, livesand courfes of men. Tise fifth refpefts an obdurate courfe in fin- ning, that finifheth, confummates, and fhuts up the whole work of fin, whereon enfues death or eternal ruin. ' I that' principally confider the three fiat, wherein the main ftrength ofthe deceit of fin doth lie, and that becaufe in believers, whofe ftate and conditisn
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