Exodus 10:20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.… Look but upon a youth when he comes first to be an apprentice to some artificer, or handicraft trade, his hand is tender, and no sooner is he set to work but it blisters, so that he is much pained thereby; but when he hath continued some time at work, then his hand hardens, and he goes on without any grievance at all. It is just thus with a sinner: before he be accustomed to an evil way, conscience is tender and full of remorse, like a queasy stomach, ready to kick at the least thing that is offensive. Oh, but a continued custom, and making a trade of sin, that's it that makes the conscience to be hard and brawny, able to feel nothing I As it is in a smith's forge, a dog that comes newly in, cannot endure the fiery sparks to fly about his ears; but being once used to it, he sleeps securely; so let wicked men be long used to the devil's workhouse, to be slaves and vassals to sin, the sparks of hell-fire may fly about them, and the fire of hell flash upon their souls, yet never trouble them, never disturb them at all; and all this ariseth from a continued custom in a course of evil. (J. Spencer.) Parallel Verses KJV: But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.WEB: But Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he didn't let the children of Israel go. |
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