Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
Ver. 8. Even as I have seen] And therefore can boldly say: for what so sure as sight? See Num 11:23 Genesis 34:1,2. Diligent inspection of a thing, and deep consideration upon it, makes confidence, which is the fruit of experience.
That they plow iniquity, and sow wickedness] Here is ploughing and sowing, a mystical husbandry. Sinners are sore labourers, great painstakers: they plot and plough, they sow and reap, they dig and delve, Proverbs 16:27, they weave and spin, Isaiah 59:5, they busy their heads, and beat their brains, as hard students in their black art; they labour even unto lassitude, Jeremiah 9:5. Hence they are called workers of iniquity (the Vulgate rendereth this text Qui operantur iniquitatem), and sin is called a work of the flesh. How can those but work hard in digging descents to hell, who have the devil for their task master, who continually spurs them on to a quick despatch of the deeds of darkness? Arant, serunt, occant scelera, as the devil's hinds and horses, they drudge night and day, turning up all the corruption in their hearts and conveniences in the world, for the effecting of their wicked devices.
And sow wickedness] Nemo repente fit turpissimus. No one suddenly becomes wicked. Sin goeth on gradually (here is first ploughing, then sowing), wicked men and seducers grow worse and worse, till at length they are even Satanized, 2 Timothy 3:13; being transformed into sin's image, and bereft of all passive power of awaking out of the snare of the devil, being taken alive by him at his pleasure, 2 Timothy 2:26 .
Reap the same] Not the same day it may be, but too soon, to their sorrow, they receive the guerdon of their sin. Sooner or later, it is sure, he that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity, Proverbs 22:8 Jeremiah 4:18. As everybody hath its shadow, so hath every sin its punishment; and many times the one is so like the other, that a man may safely say, Such a punishment is the product of such a sin, Galatians 6:7. Men shall reap the same they sow, and good reason. Give them blood to drink, for they are worthy, Revelation 16:6. God loves to make him a name among men by his art of justicing (as one calleth it) in that most exact way of counterpassion, or retaliation; and Adonibezek hath got him a fame of ingenuity, by acknowledging as much, Judges 1:7 .