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The gospel which fills the Old Testament and the New is the most wonderful arrangement that Divine wisdom and benevolence ever made. God is more seen in the glorious work of redemption there unfolded than in all His other works. Unbelief is most unreasonable and wicked in itself. Men do not reject the gospel from any want of evidence. They believe a thousand things on far tess evidence. The greatness of the sin of unbelief appears in this, that it opposes all the manifestations of God which are made in the Scriptures.

1. First, men reject the Bible because it condemns them. It reproves their sins and disturbs their conscience. A book that does this is an uncomfortable companion, and they must get rid of it to preserve their peace.

2. Secondly, men reject the Bible because it alarms their fears. It speaks of a judgment to come.

3. Thirdly, men reject the Bible because it requires them to give up sins and idols which they are loth to abandon. They love the world supremely.

4. Fourthly, men reject the Bible because it requires them to perform duties which they do not relish.

(1) The unreasonableness and wickedness of unbelief is, then, one cause why the decree has gone forth, "He that believeth not shall be damned."(2) Another reason is that it necessarily excludes men from the only remedy provided.

Application:

1. Are there any present who deliberately doubt the Divinity of the Scriptures?

2. I will apply the subject to those who, though they do not deliberately doubt, are yet stupid in sin.

3. Let me address the subject to those who, though not stupid, have not yet believed with the heart.

(E. D. Griffin, D. D.)

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KJV: But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

WEB: Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish;