2. Secondly, to dispel groundless despair. Do not despair of others
conversion of a great sinner be a reason for hope and a spur in your side.
Furthermore, such conversions demonstrate that God's commands are feasible and that his yoke is not oppressive. People naturally believe that God is a harsh master and that his commands are impossible to carry out, but when they see people who had been immersed in sin for many years have a fresh and beautiful growth through grace, and run with delight in God's ways, when they see people who had the strongest prejudices against God's ways thoroughly converted, they may think to themselves, "Why can't I follow those commands? Is it more impossible for me than it was for that person?" It is natural for people not to believe unless they see miracles, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe" (John 4:48). Therefore, all the ongoing miracles that God has left in the world are the exceptional conversions of men and the worst of men so that people can be convinced of the power of the gospel and the strength of his grace by seeing the impressive results of it on others, as conversion often begins with admiration.
The purpose of this topic is: 1. Firstly, to instruct. The doctrine reveals the power of the gospel. There is nothing that demonstrates the heavenly authority of the Christian religion and the divine effectiveness of the word more than the sudden conversions of notorious sinners. A man entering a church as a tiger and leaving as a lamb. This small stone is instrumental in laying lusts that are more giant-like than Goliath, down in the dust. When you witness such effects, take them as credentials from heaven, to maintain the credibility of the word, and to assert the authority of that conclusion
Paul puts forward, that it is "the power of God for salvation," Rom.
1:16. God gains a reputation for the gospel and the power of Christianity, that can change people from beasts to men, from serpents to saints in a moment.
2. Secondly, to dispel groundless despair. Do not despair of others when you reflect on your own crimes and consider that God never