1 Timothy 1:14

Still our apostle goes on magnifying the transcendent mercy and abundant grace of God, that called him first to be. Christian, and then an apostle; and he shows, that this great mercy of God had great effects in him of faith and love, both towards God and his saints.

Where note, how St. Paul after his conversion abounded and excelled in those graces which were opposite and contrary to the sins committed in his carnal and unregenerate state: he abounds in faith, in opposition to his former unbelief; and in love, in opposition to his former rage and cruelty.

A Christian's fruitfulness in grace and holiness after his conversion, ought to bear some proportion to his unfruitfulnes in. sinful state, before conversion; the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love; he now glorifies God by excelling in those graces which were opposite to his former sins.