The saints guide, in three treatises

But thirdly, the word of God is that which most clearly discovers God in all his glorious attributes: Now though God discover himself, by that light which he hath set in every mans Conscience, by his works of Creation, and providence, and likewise by the bright ⟨p. 103⟩Ministry of his word, never so clearly, and unquestionably, yet carnal hearts will not yield thereunto, nor glorify God in giving credit to the truth, neither be thankful unto him for these glorious mercies, but endeavour, what in them lieth, to shut out, and keep out that light that dar•eth into their souls, to quench the motions of the spirit, and to eclipse the light of the Gospel, when it shineth clearer then the Sun at noon day, as it was with the Jews, Acts 7.51. When Steven brought the word near to their hearts, and touched them to the quick, saith the text. 57.58. verses, Then they gave a shout with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him violently all ⟨p. 104⟩at once, and cast him out of the City and stoned him: thus it was with the Sodomites, all the persuasions and entreaties of Lot could not prevail with them, but they cry out away hence, he came as a stranger, and shall he judge and rule? Gen. 19.9. As they said to Lot so doth every carnal heart to the word of God, when a Minister cometh unto them with an unfeigned desire, to do their souls good, to guide them in the way to blessedness, to woe them, entreat them, and beseech them, to be reconciled to God, and no longer to resist his truth, blaspheme his Name, pollute his holy things, to break off their sinful courses, & to become as zealous for the ways of ⟨p. 105⟩God, and servants of God, as heretofore they have been for sin, and Satan, in stead of yielding to these blessed motions, they cry stand back, who made you judge, we regard not your counsel, we fear not your threatenings, and say in their hearts as they did, Jere. 18.12. We will walk after our own imaginations, and do every man after the stubbornness of his own wicked heart, thus they even take up arms against the Ministers of God, and the truths of God, when they come to pull them out of their carnal courses.