In chap. iv. _vv._ 3 & 4, this ignorance is turned into actual aversion. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” And this is the more remarkable if you observe that the ignorance of truth does not arise from neglect. They are not like persons who pass it by as a thing of no importance, who turn aside from the whole matter; but they are “ever learning.” They will make the thing their study, they will have many books and read them, they will ransack human literature, they will be able to quote human testimonies, they will strive to unravel the tangled mazes of patristic theology. And, what says the prophecy respecting their success? They are “never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Why is this? How can it be, that with all this fair form of godliness, with all this deep research and learning, they are yet outstripped by some simple cottager who knows only his bible and his Lord? The prophecy must again reply, and it shows that the defect is rather in the heart than in the head; for (iv. 3) “they will not endure,” they do not like, “sound doctrine;” and again (iii. 8) “they resist the truth.” Truth is presented and resisted, and then they will turn to fables. They are blinded, because they will not see; their mind is turned unto fables; just because their heart has never been turned in true repentance to the cross. They are exactly like those whom St. Paul describes as led astray by the man of sin: “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness;” 2 Thess. ii. 10–12. They have pleasure in unrighteousness, and therefore cannot love the truth. The result is a strong delusion, a judicial blindness, an incapacity of receiving Christ. In their latter stages they really think they are conscientious; they are not hypocrites or infidels, but have schooled their understanding into the belief of the fables to which their heart is turned. Having begun by disliking the truth, they end by believing lies. “For this cause shall God send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” (4.) But there is a fourth remark from the prophecy of no small importance; _viz._ this; _the apostacy will be found not merely amongst the laity_, _but the clergy_, _i.e._ amongst those who exercise the office of the ministry in the house of God.