John Trapp on Proverbs 29:1

CHAP. XXIX. Verſ. 1. He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck.

Zech. 7.AS an untaimed heifer, that pulleth away the ſhoulder and detracteth the yoke.Solinus. Or as the creature called Monoceros, the Unicorn, interimi poteſt, capi non poteſt, Corripimur ſed non corrigimur. Aug. may be ſlain, but not taken: ſo thoſe that refuſe to be reformed, hate to be healed, will not bend, ſhall ſurely and ſeverely be broken, certiſſime citiſſimeque confringentur, they ſhall certainly and ſuddenly be daſhed in pieces as a potters veſſel, that cannot be pieced together again, Iſa. 30.13, 14. Jer. 15.12. Shall iron break the Northern iron and the ſteel? and ſhall not the fierce wrath of God ſhatter and ſhiver out a ſilly ſinner, that will needs ſtout it out with him: and yet is no more able to ſtand before him, than a glaſſe-bottle before a Cannon-ſhot? Let Elies ſonnes, and ſuch refractaries look for ruine: The Prophet fitly compares them to head-ſtrong horſes, that get the bit into their mouths, run deſperately upon the rocks, and ſo in ſhort time break firſt their hoofs, and then their necks. Queen Elizabeth, in talking with Marſhal Biron, (whom the French King ſent Ambaſſadour to her, Anno 1601,) ſharply accuſed Eſſex, (who had lately loſt his head) of obſtinacy, Camd. Eliſ. fol. 562 raſh counſels, and wilful diſdaining to ask pardon: and wiſhed that the French King would rather uſe milde ſeverity than careleſs clemency, & cut off the heads of treacherous perſons in time, &c. This might have terrified Biron from thoſe wicked attempts, which he was even at this time plotting againſt his King, had not his mind been beſotted. But the power of his approaching fate did ſo blind him, that within few months after he underwent the ſame death that Eſſex did: though nothing ſo piouſly and chriſtianly: as having hardened his neck againſt wholſome counſel. Now if men harden their hearts, God will harden his hand, and haſten their deſtruction, and that without remedy.