Proverbs 25:12 [As] an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [so is] a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
Ver. 12. As an earring of gold, &c.] Ut in auris aurea, &c. A seasonable word falling upon a tractable ear hath a redoubled grace with it, as an earring of gold, and as an ornament of fine gold, or as a diamond in a diadem. It is a hard and happy thing to "suffer the words of exhortation," to digest a reproof; to say with David, "Let the righteous smite me," &c.; to be of Gerson's disposition, of whom it is recorded that he rejoiced in nothing more, quam si ab aliquo fraterne et charitative redargueretur, a than if he were friendly and freely reproved by anyone. Every vice doth now go armed; touch it never so gently, yet like the nettle it will sting you. If you deal with it roughly and roundly it swaggereth, as the Hebrew did with Moses, "Who made thee a man of authority?" &c. Exo 2:14 Earrings and ornaments are ill bestowed upon such uncircumcised ears.
a In vita Jo. Gers.