An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
Ver. 18. An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations.] This is the old beldam, the mother of all the foregoing and following mischiefs, and is therefore fitly set in the midst of the seven, as having an influence into all. From the eyes, the wise man descends to the mouth; from the mouth to the hands; from the hands to the heart; from thence to the feet; and so takes the parts in order as they stand. But as for the heart, it transfuseth its venom into all the rest, and may say to them all, as the heart of Apollodorus the tyrant seemed to say to him, who dreamed one night that he was flayed by the Scythians, and boiled in a caldron, and that his heart spoke to him out of the kettle, Eγω σοι τουτων αιτια; It is I that have drawn thee to all this. Those in hell cry so, doubtless.
Feet that be swift.] As if they should come too late. This is a foul abuse of the locomotive faculty given us by God for better purpose, that we should be "swift to hear," Jam 1:19 "run to and fro to increase knowledge," Dan 12:4 walk in the way that is called holy, "go from strength to strength," Psa 84:7 taking long strides towards heaven. Those, then, that walk in a contrary road, and make all possible haste to heap up sin upon sin, must needs be abominated and accursed of God.