92SermonsofJonathanEdwards
liberty... or till in this and the other respect they are got into more convenient circumstances.
(2.) There are many that delay and put off without fixing any time in their mind... hoping for a more convenient future time...
The present time appears peculiarly inconvenient... feel a great opposition... have many temptations... hope it will be better with them... not feel such an aversion... fewer temptations...
Wait to have the Spirit of God strive with them.
Now a time of general deadness, and very inconvenient on that account... all the talk is of other things... put off till a time of the outpouring of the Spirit of God...
Or, perhaps, they are hoping for some greater advantage in other respects, some better means than now they enjoy, or a better concurrence of circumstances to favor a design of seeking God and their salvation.
II. The cause of persons thus delaying.
1. Stupidity... senselessness of their danger and necessity.
Insensible of the reality... insensible of the greatness... senseless of the heinousness of their sin... a brutish stupidity...
2. The importunity of lust... Job 20:12 — "Wickedness is sweet in his mouth; he hides it under his tongue; he spares it, and forsakes it not, he keeps it still in his mouth."
3. Aversion to their duty.
4. Ignorance of themselves and self-confidence.