468 The NATURE and POWER CHAP. XIII. Several ways wherebythe bringing forth of conceiv- ed Sin is obf}rutled. E F O REwe proceed to the remaining evidences of the pow- er and efficacyof the lawof fin, we 'hall take occafion from what hath been delivered, to divert unto one confederation that offers it felf from that fcripture, which was made the bottom and foundation of ourdifcourfe of thegeneral deceit - fulnefs of fin ; namely James a. 14. The apoftle tells us that lu/I conceiving brings fórth fin ; teeming to intimate, that ook what fin is conceived, that alto is`broughe forth. Nowplacing the conception of fin, as we have done, in the confent of the will unto it, and reckoning, as we ought, the bringing forth of fin to confifi in itsannual com- mifiìon, we know that thefe do not neceffarily follow one another. There is a world offin conceived in thewomb of the wills and hearts of men, that is never brought forth. Our prefent bufinefs then fhall be to enquire whence that comes to pats. I anfwer then; a. That this is not fo, is no thanks to fin, nor the law ofit. What it conceives, it would bring forth ; and that it doth not, is for themolt part but a finali abatement of its guilt. A determinate will of anual finning, is anual fin, There is nothing wanting on fins part, that every conceived fin is not aâually accomplifhed. The obftacle and prevention lies on ano- ther hand. z. There are two things that are neceffary in the creature that bath con- ceived fin, for the bringing of it forth. Firfl, Power. Secondly, Con- tinuance in the will of finning, until it be perpetrated and committed. Where thefe two are, anual fin will unavoidably enfue. It is evident therefore, that that whichhinders conceived fin from being brought forth, muff affen either the power or the will of the finner. This Inuit be from God. And lie hath two ways of doing it. (is) By his providence, whereby he obftru&s the power of finning. (a.) By his grace, whereby he diverts or changes the will of finning. I do not mention thefe ways of God's difpenfations thus diftinlly, as though the oneof them were always without the other ; for there is much of grace in providential adminiftrations, and much of the wifdom of pro- vidence feen in the difpenfations of grace. But I place them in this di- ítinEtion, becaufe they appear moll eminent therein. Providence in out- ward alts refpdaing the power of the creature, grace common or fpecial in internal efficacy, refpefting his will. And we Mall beginwith thefinit. (i.) When fin is conceived, the Lordobftrufts its produnion byhis pro- vidence in taking away, or taking fhort that power which is abfolutely neceffary for its bringing forth or accomplifhment. As, f i.] Life is the foundation of all power, the principle of operation. When that ceafeth, all power ceafeth with it. Even God himfelf, to evince the everlafling ftability of his ownpower, gives himfelf the title of the living God. Now he frequently obviates the power of exerting fin actually, by cutting fhort and taking away the lives of them that havecon- ceived it. Thus he dealt with the army of Senacberib, when according as
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