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I think the main issue is simply that most modern readers have a relatively small vocabulary and are markedly acclimatized to shorter, simpler sentences. 21st c

I think the main issue is simply that most modern readers have a relatively small vocabulary and are markedly acclimatized to shorter, simpler sentences. 21st century readers often struggle with works written for the reading publics of a mere one or two centuries ago. And even 100 years ago, the KJV (for example) was not regarded as a difficult read. Indeed, it's been my observation that the written register has almost entirely disappeared - there's only the spoken register in text form. But even that has declined in complexity: consider what Presidential addresses use to look like. Go compare Lincoln's Second Inaugural address with Obama's, for example.

soco 5y ago
The public changed a lot as well. You aren't writing for a small(ish) gathering of literate noblemen anymore, but aiming for an entire nation with so-and-so levels of understanding.
handrous 5y ago
What gets me is letters written by normal people, from the 19th and early 20th century US. Not authors, not statesmen, not business tycoons, not military officers—workers, minor bureaucrats, enlisted soldiers. They tend to read as very "high" language, to modern eyes. Working vocabulary, as you note, seems to be larger as well, even though it's easier than ever to remind oneself of the correct word, with modern tools. > Indeed, it's been my observation that the written register has almost entirely disappeared I think that's a lot of it. Then again, maybe people in the 19th century US spoke like that, too? I haven't looked into it. Surely there's a book about this....