close his eyes to our sins that
the seasons, both of seeding and of harvest, are not subject to
climatic disturbances, such as the fearful drouth of the year 1504 and
the almost unending rains of the two following years. Considering the
wickedness of our age, why should we wonder that the blessing gives
place to a curse, so that the beasts, which would fear us were we not
wicked, are now a terror unto us and harmful?

21. The country of the Sodomites was like a paradise; but by reason of
sin it was turned into a sea of asphalt; and those who have seen that
country tell us that most beautiful apples grow there, but when they
are cut open they are found to be filled with ashes and offensive
odor. The reason for this is that the Sodomites did not acknowledge
the gifts of God who blessed them, but misused them according to their
own will. Furthermore, they blasphemed God, and persecuted his saints,
being haughty by reason of those good gifts. Therefore the blessing
was taken away, and everything became curse-ridden. This is the true
explanation of the fact that, though there are signs of terror in wild
animals, we are nevertheless afraid of them, and they inflict harm
upon us.

22. I am quite certain that very wicked men once lived in this country
of ours; how could we otherwise explain the parched soil and barren
sands? Names also show that the Jews at one time peopled this country.
Where bad people live, there the land gradually grows bad by the curse
of God.

23. The city of Bruges in Flanders used to be a renowned port; but
from the time when they held King Maximilian captive, the sea
retreated, and the port ceased to exist. Of Venice they say the same
thing today. Nor is this very astonishing, since to the numberless
sins of rulers of the State, defence of idol worship and persecution
of the Gospel was added.

V. 4. _But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof,
shall ye not eat._

24. What we have heard so far, referred to domestic matters; now God
adds a commandment pertaining to civil government. Since it was no
more a sin to kill an ox or a sheep for food than it was to pluck a
flower or an herb, growing in the field, there was some danger that
men might misuse this God-given power over the beasts and go beyond it
even to the shedding of human blood. Hence, he now adds a new law,
that human blood must not be shed, and at the same time he curtails
the liberty of eating flesh; he forbids them t