Why won't my Briggs and Stratton start? ?

Robert,

It is a Briggs and Stratton 4-cycle on a Sears lawnmower. It has a key-operated as well as pull cord start. The battery needs charging but the charger is out-of-state. I had the engine cover off yesterday and when the kill switch handle is pulled it is quite a ways from the flywheel. But I will try what you suggested. You don't think it is the magneto? Also, I don't think that I gave it a good test for spark yesterday. I took the spark plug wire off the spark plug and had one of my sons pull the cord as I held it in close proximity to the block. Should I take out the spark plug and attach it to the plug wire and then have the cord pulled to check for spark?

Thanks.