Sermon XXV. [LXXV. Ben.] On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xiv. 24, “But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves.” 1. The lesson of the Gospel which we have just heard is a lesson of humility to us all, that we may see and know where we are, and whither we must tend and hasten. For that ship which carries the disciples, which was tossed in the waves by a contrary wind, is not without its meaning. Nor without a meaning2541 did the Lord after He had left the multitudes, go up into a mountain to pray alone; and then coming to His disciples found them in danger, walking on the sea, and getting up into the ship strengthened them, and appeased the waves. But what marvel if He can appease all things who created all? Nevertheless after He was come up into the ship, they who were being borne in her, came saying, “Of a truth Thou art the Son of God.”2542 But before this plain discovery of Himself2543 they were troubled, saying, “It is a phantom.”2544 But He coming up into the ship took away the fluctuation of mind from their hearts, when they were now more endangered in their souls by doubting, than before in their bodies by the waves. 2. Yet in all this that the Lord did, He instructs us as to the nature of our life here. In this world there is not a man who is not a stranger; though all do not desire to return to their own country. Now by this very journey we are exposed to waves and tempests; but we must needs be at least in the ship. For if there be perils in the ship, without the ship there is certain destruction. For whatever strength of arm he may have who swims in the open sea, yet in time he is carried away and sunk, mastered by the greatness of its waves. Need then there is that we be in the ship, that is, that we be carried in the wood, that we may be able to cross this sea. Now this Wood in which our weakness is carried is the Cross of the Lord, by which we are signed, and delivered from the dangerous tempests2545 of this world. We are exposed to the violence of the waves; but He who helpeth us is God. 3. For in that when the Lord had left the multitudes, “He went up alone into a mountain to pray;”2546 that mountain signifies the height of heaven. For having left the multitudes, the Lord after His Resurrection ascended Alone into heaven, and “there,” as the Apostle says, “He maketh intercession for us.”2547 There is some meaning then in His “leaving the 2541 Causa. 2542 Matt. xiv. 33. 2543 Evidentiam. 2544 φάντασμα. Matt. xiv. 26. 2545 Submersionibus. 2546 Matt. xiv. 23. 2547 Rom. viii. 34. On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xiv. 24, ‘But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves.’ 711 On the words of the Gospel, Matt. xiv. 24, ‘But the boat was now in the…