Verse 22.— But it is happened unto them. Of the ones who apostasize, the apostle says it hap­pened according to a true proverb of Solomon. (Proverbs 26:1-28 : II.) The dog has returned to his vomit again. The compari­son is a striking one. The apostle, not satisfied in giving one comparison to enforce the truth of his declaration, seizes one more, which is also within the knowledge of all. The apostate is likened to a sow which, after she is carefully washed from all impurity, returns to her wallowing in the mire. The teaching here designed to be enforced by the pen of inspiration is plain, and appears upon the very surface. That, as it is difficult to change the nature of these animals — the dog and the sow— an equal difficulty will be encoun­tered in changing the wicked dispositions of some men. A continued indulgence in certain vices and a general course of vice finally culminates in the formation of habits as strong as nature; are, in fact, a second nature, and equally as hard to overcome.