John Trapp on Proverbs 12:1

CHAP. XII. Verſ. 1. Whoſo loveth instruction, loveth knowledge.]

HEre is ſhewed, that Adverſity is the beſt Univerſity, ſaith an Interpreter. Schola crucis, ſchola lucis, Corrections of inſtruction are the way of life.Vexatio dat intellectum. Men commonly beat and bruiſe their links, before they light them, to make them burn the brighter. God firſt humbles whom hee means to illuminate; as Gideon took thorns of the wilderneſs and briers, and with them hee taught the men of Succoth, Judg. 8.16. See my Treatiſe on Rev. 3.19. pag. 152. &c. Mr. Aſcham was a good ſchool-maſter to Queen Elizabeth, but affliction was a better, as one well obſerveth. That verſe was much in her mouth.

Non ignara mali miſeris ſuccurrere diſco.Virgil.

But hee that hateth reproof] Whether it bee by the rebukes of men, or the Rod of God, hee is brutiſh: tardus eſt, hee is fallen below the ſtirrop of reaſon, hee is a beaſt in mans ſhape; nothing is more irrational than irreligion. That ſapleſs fellow Nabal would hear nothing; there was no talking to him, no dealing with him; but as Horſe and Mule that have no underſtanding, Pſal. 32.9. Baſil complains of the Weſtern Churches, that they were grown ſo proud,Epiſt. ad Evagr. ut quid verum ſit neque ſciant, neque ſuſtineant diſcere, that they neither knew what was truth, nor would bee taught better. Such are near to ruine, and that without remedy, Prov. 29.1. See the Note there.