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Sinners Delay Concerns the Soul
by Jonathan Edwards
Dated
1749, 1752. From Grosart’s “Unpublished Writings.” In the left-hand
corner is marked, “Novemb. 1749,” and a little beyond, “St Ind. =
Stockbridge Indians, Aug. 1752.” See Application for the second sermon.
Acts 24:25, "And as he
reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix
trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a
convenient season, I will call for thee."
I. The subject of the Apostle’s preaching.
II. How Felix was affected by it.
III. How he conducted himself in these circumstances.
Subject: Sinners delaying in putting off the great concern of their
souls till a supposed more convenient season.
1. How sinners oftentimes
do delay.
2. The reasons or causes why sinners do thus.
3. The end of it.
I. I would briefly observe how sinners do frequently delay and put off
the great concern of their souls till a supposed more convenient season.
(1.) They sometimes put off to certain times they set, when they
intend... Children sometimes... Shall know more — Know better how to
pray and perform other duties of Religion that grown-up persons perform.
’Tis a common thing for
young people. Till settled in the world.
“More convenient season:” a better inclination... not so much inclined
to mirth and youthful vanities... fewer temptations... out of the way of
young company... more in the way of those who are solid and serious
persons.
They esteem the present
season very inconvenient for religion... being so very convenient for
other purposes... Now a very convenient time to take liberty in mirth
and youthful delights.
Many that are past their youth put off to a supposed more convenient
season... when got through such and such particular affairs wherein they
are now involved... when they hope they shall be more at 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.
Trust in
wisdom...strength...steadfastness...
5. A spirit of
self-blinding... The blinding influence of a sinful self-love... promise
themselves future opportunity... better opportunity... that God will
hear...
6. The subtle temptations
of the Devil...
III. The evil of it.
1. ’Tis exceeding wicked.
Direct
disobedience...willful, resolved, wickedness....determine to continue in
sin, and an allowance of it...
’Tis not only designedly
committing one act of wickedness, but deliberately determining on a
course of it... a course of manifested wickedness... neglect of many
commands... gratification of many lusts... horrible ingratitude, abusing
the past “long suffering”... horrible presumption on future mercy...
contempt of offered mercy...
2. ’Tis exceeding
foolish... Hereby they reject and miss a good deal of present good...
willfully continue in a miserable state... bring a great deal of certain
future misery upon them...
They run a dreadful risk...depend on innumerable uncertainties.. life
continued... means of grace continued... use of reason... disposed...
“more convenient season”...given one... if disposed whether succeed...
whether God won’t give over to delusion and to hard-heartedness...
Depend on many things that
are not only uncertain, but very improbable... disposition... convenient
season... thought when they were children... make their case more and
more dangerous...depending on greater conveniences they make
inconveniences for themselves... and by this means many thousands are
actually undone...
APPLICATION:
This may be of warning to
sinners not to delay and put off...
You have heard how common this is... Men are exceeding prone to it...
Does your own experience confirm what has been said in this matter? And
are there not some here who are now doing as has been represented? Have
we not reason to think that there are many here present that say as
Felix, “When...” etc.?
Undoubted, by what is everywhere to be seen at such a time of general
deadness and regardlessness of religion as this is: a good evidence of
the exceeding proneness to put off...
Let all take warning...
You have heard something in general of wickedness and folly; but here
consider more particularly —
1. What guilt you
contract: what a horrible thing it is to live in known and willful
disobedience to God;... what great light ye will sin against if you...
2. What would you think of
your delays if God should say to you, “Thou fool, this night...?”
3. If the future time you
are putting off to should never come, how far it will probably be from
being a “more convenient season.”...
In many respects, far more inconvenient... God’s anger increased... your
heart harder, more stupid... every evil habit established... sloth... a
carnal, worldly disposition... an habitual making light of things
affecting such awakenings... Satan’s great opportunity to establish his
interest... commonly an increase of inconvenience of outward
circumstances... increase of temptations... commonly many inconveniences
arise that never would be thought of... less likely ever to set about
the work... Satan hath greater advantages if they do... more likely to
be unsteady...more likely soon to be discouraged... the work is greater
and harder that they have to do... less time to do it...
4. Others have lamented
their folly in delaying... many when under concern... I who have long
been in the work of the ministry... many on a death-bed.
5. How much otherwise you
deal with God, and desire that God should deal with you.
6. If you continue still
to delay after the warning you have this day, how aggravated your
wickedness will be!
How have you been warned
hereof before... and how have you gone from the meeting-house and
still...
How can you excuse
yourself to go home tonight and do nothing? or to do a little this
evening, and then to-morrow, or in a few days?...
Consider how unreasonable
this is...
And if now again, ... and
there be a God,... how many you reasonably suppose He will resent it?
7. If you still... what
danger that you will be utterly given up before the time comes... Giving
up a common thing...
8. Inquire whether you
yourself don’t believe [that] there are many now in Hell through this
very means?
Here some, perhaps, may
say, to excuse themselves, and quiet their own consciences with respect
to this, “I don’t delay and put off the concern of my soul. I am in a
way of seeking my salvation.”
Here I would put two or
three questions to such persons.
1. Whether you are in a
way of minding this affair more than all other? “Seeking FIRST the
kingdom of God,” — “one thing.”...
2. Is your reformation
universal? Sins of omission... commission...
3. [Do you feel] as much
pains as ever you take will be needful? Forsaken all practices you think
you would need to forsake? Complied with all duties? As earnestly?... Do
you intend to continue? How has secret, closet religion been with you?
How have you kept the Sabbath? Attended the sermons? If not, ... you are
guilty of the forementioned wickedness,...willful disobedience — guilty
of folly. Therefore, if you have any regard to... think on your mercies,
and “turn your feet,”... and whatever “your hands find to do.”...
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