'
'And why should they not have believed in him?'
'Because what he revealed was sufficient to convince all men whose
hearts had not been hardened in unbelief. God said, "As for the
unbelievers, it is the same with them whether you admonish them or do
not admonish them; they will not believe. God hath sealed up their
hearts, their ears, and their eyes; and a grievous punishment awaits
them."'[58]
'And why were the hearts of any men thus hardened to unbelief, when
by unbelief they were to incur such dreadful penalties?'
'Because they were otherwise wicked men.'
'But you think, of course, that there was really much of good in the
revelations of your prophet?'
'Of course we do.'
'And that those who believed in it were likely to become better men
for their faith?'
'Assuredly.'
'Then why harden the hearts of even bad men against a faith that
might make them good?'
'Has not God said, "If we had pleased, we had certainly given unto
every soul its direction; but the word which hath proceeded from me
must necessarily be fulfilled when I said, _Verily, I will fill hell
with men and genii altogether_ ".
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