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Then when lust hath conceived; lust (compared to a harlot) may be said to conceive, when the heart is pleased with the motion, and yields some consent to it.
It bringeth forth sin; the birth of sin may be the complete consent of the will to it, or the outward act of it.
And sin; actual sin, the fruit and product of original.
When it is finished; sin is finished, when it is not only committed, but continued in, as the way and course of a man’s life.
Bringeth forth death; not only temporal, but eternal. Or we may thus take the order and progress of sin: the first indeliberate motion of lust, is the temptation or bait, which by its pleasantness enticeth, and by its vehemency draws the heart after it (as the harlot, Pro_7:21, with the flattering of her lips forced the young man, telling him of the pleasure he should enjoy, Jam_1:14,16-18, and then he goes after her, Jam_1:22); the heart’s lingering about and being entangled with the delightful motion of lust, is its committing folly with it; when the full consent is joined, lust hath conceived; when the outward act is performed, sin is brought forth; and when sin is finished in a settled course, it brings forth death; which, though every sin do in the merit of it, yet sin only finished doth in the event.
Objection. Doth not this imply lust, and its first motions, not to be sin?
Answer. No: for;
1. The least motions of it are forbidden, Mat_5:28 Rom_7:7.
2. It is contrary to the law and Spirit of God, Rom_7:23,25 Ga 5:16,17.
3. It is the fountain of impurity, and therefore is itself impure, Job_14:4 Mat_7:15,16 Jas 3:11.
4. Evil thoughts defile a man, Mat_15:19 Act_8:22.
Objection. How is lust said here to bring forth sin, when, Rom_7:8, sin is said to work lust?
Answer. James calls the corrupt principle itself lust, and the actings of it, sin; whereas Paul calls the same principle sin, and the actings of it lust. And so both are true, lust, as a root, brings forth the acts of sin as its fruits; and sin as a root, brings forth actual lusts, as its fruits.