and to set before him a hope of blessing and utmost
mercy.

52. Such consolation Noah and his loved ones required. One who has
been humbled by God cannot forget the wound and the pain. Chastening
is longer remembered than blessing. Boys are a case in point. The
tender mother, having chastised her child with the rod, endeavors to
calm him with toys and other allurements, yet the memory of pain
lingers, and the child cannot restrain frequent sighs and bitter sobs.
How much more difficult for the conscience to accept solace after
having felt the wrath of God and the fear of death! So firmly fixed
are these in the mind that the soul trembles and fears in spite of
gifts and consolations offered.

53. So God here shows his good will in manifold ways and feels
singular joy in pouring forth mercy. He is like a mother who pets and
caresses her boy until he at last begins to forget his tears and to
smile into his mother's face.

54. Hence figures are employed, and words are massed and the subject
is presented in a clearer and clearer light, in order to adapt the
consolation to the needs of the wretched people who, for an entire
year, had been witnesses of the immeasurable wrath of God. They could
not be delivered from fear and terror by an occasional word. There was
need of repeating the promise with much exposition to dry their tears
and to soften their grief. For, though they were saints, they were
flesh, even as we are.

55. Likewise we in our day need this consolation. At all times when
the elements rage, we may be secure in the thought that the fountains
of heaven and the wells of the deep are closed up by the word of God.
The rainbow shows itself to this day for the purpose of symbolizing
that, henceforth, there shall never be another general flood. And this
promise requires, on our part, the faith that we trust God, in his
mercy, will never bring another great flood upon us.

C. THE RAINBOW.

1. Can it be assigned to natural causes 56-58.

* What to think of the fiery meteors 59-60.

2. Can it be caused by the position of the clouds 60.

3. The rainbow witnesses of God's wrath and of his goodness 61.

4. Did it exist before the flood?

a. Opinion of those believing it did, and their reasons 62.

b. Luther's opinion that it was a new creation 63.

c. Solomon's words, "There is nothing new", do not apply here
64.

5. Rainbow to be viewed as a new creature and