But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
Ver. 24. Tossed with waves] So is the Church often therefore styled, "O thou afflicted and tossed with tempest, that hast no comfort,"Isaiah 54:11. Jesus was absent all the while: so he seemeth to be from his darlings in their desertions; he leaveth them, as it were, in the suburbs of hell, and (which is worst of all) himself will not come at them. Howbeit as the eagle when she flieth highest of all from the nest, doth evermore cast a jealous eye upon her young; so doth this heavenly eagle.
For the wind was contrary] So it is ever lightly to the Church: this world being like the Straits of Magellan, wherein which way soever a man bends his course, he is sure to have the wind sit cross to him. But the comfort is, that whether north or south blow, they both blow good to a Christian, Song of Solomon 4:16 .