elusion to
believe a lie_.

One other cause of opposition to the Gospel is found in the absolute
contrariety of its requisitions, to the habits of life, which men have
contracted, and which they are resolved not to abandon. While _the
preaching of the cross_ prescribes, as indispensable to salvation,
conditions with which many, who have no doubt of being saved, wholly
refuse to comply; and while it declares that eternal perdition will be
the result of a course, which they are determined to pursue; it must be
the object of their settled detestation. Hence the love of sinful
pursuits and gratifications, and an invincible repugnance to a life of
devotion, are the true reasons why many esteem _the preaching of the
cross foolishness_.

It ought, however, to be kept in mind, while these causes are recounted,
that the operation of each of them is rendered more efficacious, by the
agency of that spirit of darkness, _that worketh in the children of
disobedience_. To increase disgust against the plan of redemption, to
exasperate the natural enmity of the carnal heart, to give a specious
appearance to objections, and to enforce, with seductive arguments, the
cause of unbelief, is the untiring employment of the grand foe of God
and man. It is indeed the darling achievement of infernal skill, to
inflate a poor worm with pride of talent, and fill his heart with hatred
to the Gospel, and then persuade him that his hatred arises from its
falsehood and absurdity. No event can afford the tempter greater joy,
than success in persuading perishing sinners to reject the only possible
way of escape from eternal death, and to contemn, as foolishness, that
doctrine which is the _wisdom of God and the power of God to salvation
to every one that believeth_.

It only remains, that we briefly describe the fearful condition and
prospects of all to whom _the preaching of the cross is foolishness_.

And here we have only to repeat the decision of the Searcher of
hearts--the Judge of the quick and dead. His infallible Spirit has, in
our text, divulged the tremendous fact, that the indifference, contempt,
and disgust, which have now been described, are characteristics of THEM
THAT PERISH. This authority, as well as the nature of the case, renders
it certain, that all, who indulge such feelings, are _in the gall of
bitterness and under the bond of iniquity_--_dead in trespasses and
sins_--_treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath_. Nothing short