Phil. i. 20. Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be
by life, or by death.
WHILST the great mass of mankind, like a ship driven with fierce winds and tossed upon tempestuous waves, are uncertain what may be the event of their trials, the true Christian is like a ship at anchor : he beholds the storm, but defies its power: he knows that every effort, either of men or devils, to destroy him, shall issue in his own welfare, and in their confusion. St. Paul was in prison at Rome, uncer- tain whether he should be set at liberty or put to death. He had adversaries also amongst the professed
followers of Christ, who laboured to increase his afflic- tion, by weakening his influence in the Church, and drawing away his converts to their own party. But he knew, that the more his afflictions abounded, the more were the prayers of God's people offered up on his behalf, and the more would a supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ be poured out upon him. He was therefore satisfied, that, however matters might ter- minate with respect to temporal deliverance, they would issue in his final " salvation ;" and that he should be so strengthened from above, as never to "be ashamed" of his profession, but rather that, as in past times, so to the latest hour of his existence, " Christ should be magnified in his body, whether it were by life or by death."
This expression is very singular, and deserves more than ordinary attention. We propose therefore to consider,
I. In what sense Christ may be magnified in our body —
We may easily conceive that Christ should be served, or honoured by us; but how can he be magnified? Can we add any thing to his essential dignity ? No ; he is " God over all, blessed for evermore." Can we add to his mediatorial honours ? No ; we cannot augment his kingly power, or give virtue to his priestly sacrifice, or enlarge his influence as the great Prophet of the Church. Can we add to the glory that he possesses in heaven ? No ; the angels and glorified saints are already glorifying him, day and night, with all their faculties and all their powers. Surely then (it may be said) this is a proud, if not a blasphemous expression. No ; we must not so hastily condemn an inspired Apostle. You ask then, How can we magnify Christ ? We answer, that he may be magnified by us both in word and deed : " O magnify the Lord with me," says the Psalmist, " and let us exalt his name together." This shews what may be done by our voices : and as to our actions, we may be said to magnify him, when in our conduct we set forth,