toyling in rowing] The faithfull servants of God, beside their labours, are subject to great tempests, which Christ doth so moderate, being present in power when he is absent in body, that he bringeth them to an happie haven, at such time and by such means as they looked not for. A lively image of the Church tossed to an fro in this world.
and would have passed by them] Made them believe so, to make them the more afraid, that the deliverance might be the more welcome.