Then are they glad because they be quiet
The mariners are glad that the waves are quiet, and they free
from danger, and at ease and in repose themselves.
So he bringeth them unto their desired haven;
the port, city, border or tract of land F17, they
are bound to; which they desire to be at, and eagerly look out
for, and rejoice when arrived at it. This is all the Lord's work
in providence: mariners too often take it to themselves, as if it
was owing to their own skill and management that they have
brought home the ship safe to the appointed port; but it is owing
to the secret guidance and protection of divine Providence, which
should be acknowledged. The late Mr. Hussey F18
thinks, that all this is not to be understood of seamen and naval
affairs in common, but is a prophecy of what should befall the
disciples of Christ, when on shipboard with him; who are the
persons that went "down to the sea of Galilee" in a ship;
whose business in the great waters was fishing;
when, by the will of God, there came down a "stormy wind", which
"lifted up the waves" of the sea, so that the ship in which they
were was filled with them, and in danger of being sunk; when they
went up and down, as here described, and reeled as they went
along on the deck, to awake their Master their hearts melting,
and they at their wit's end through fear, when they saw such
wonders, what no common mariner ever did; the Godman and Mediator
rising and in a majestic manner rebuked the winds and waves, and
caused a calm, and so brought them to the country of the
Gadarenes, whither they were bound; see ( Luke
8:23-26 ) . But it may be applied, in a more spiritual
manner, to the people of God in common who are embarked in the
cause of Christ, and in a church state, comparable to a ship, of
which Christ is the master, governor, and pilot; and who are
sailing through the tempestuous sea of this world, and are tossed
with tempests in it; and have business to do here, not only of a
civil, but of a spiritual nature and who not only see the
wondrous works of creation and providence, but of grace and
redemption; the deep things of God, the mysteries of his grace
and love: and who sometimes are covered with the billows and
waves of affliction, and in the utmost distress; which are all
under the direction and at the command of God, to whom they apply
for relief; and he commands a calm in their breasts, and causes
their afflictions to cease, which produce joy and gladness in
them; and at last they are brought safe to heaven, their desired
haven, which they are bound unto, are seeking after, and desirous
of; and where they are at entire rest, brought hither by the Lord
himself.