A commentary of M. John Calvin, upon the Epistle to the Colossians. And translated…A commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the Epistle to the Colossians. And translated…

6 As also in the whole world it doth fructify.) This availeth as well to the confirmation as to the comfort of the godly, to see far and wide the effect of the Gospel, in gathering many unto Christ. In deed the faith thereof dependeth not upon the success thereof, so that therefore we should believe, because many believe. Although the whole world shrink, although heaven it self fall, yet the conscience of a godly man ought not to waver: because God notwithstanding, in whom the conscience is grounded, abideth true. But this letteth not but that our faith may be helped, as oft as it seeth the power of God: which doth so much the more mightily show forth it self, as the number is greater that is gained unto Christ. Add this too, that in the multitude of the believers at that time was seen the fulfilling of so many prophesies, which stretch out the kingdom of God from the east to the West. Is this a small matter, or a vulgar and common help unto faith, with the eyes to behold fulfilled, concerning the kingdom of Christ to be extended throughout all countries, that which the Prophets long afore had foretold? that which I say, there is none of the faithful but by experience doth find it himself. Paul therefore ⟨p. 5⟩with this sentence would more embolden the Colossians: that seeing in all places the fruit and increasing of the Gospel, they might with the more joyous zeal. embrace it. [Greek or Hebrew] which I have translated, is increased, is not read in some copies: yet because it was somewhat sit unto the text, I would not omit it. And it appeareth by the Commentaries of the old Writers that this reading was always more used. From the day that you heard and knew the grace.) A praise of their aptness, in that they did by and by embrace wholesome doctrine: a praise of constancy, in that they did abide in the same. And properly is the faith of the Gospel called the knowledge of the grace of God: because no man at any time hath tasted the Gospel but he that knew himself reconciled unto God, and toke hold of salvation proffered in Christ. In the truth, signifieth truly and without deceit. for as afore he testified, the Gospel to be the undoubted truth: so now he addeth, that it was sincerely delivered unto them: and that of Epaphras.

6 As also in the whole world it doth fructifie.) This auayleth as well to the confirmation as to the comfort of the godlye, to see farre and wide the effect of the Gospell, in gathering many vnto Christ. In deede the fayth thereof dependeth not vppon the successe thereof, so that therefore we should beleeue, because many beleeue. Although the whole worlde shrinke, although heauen it selfe fall, yet the conscience of a godly man ought not to wauer: because God notwithstanding, in whome the conscience is grounded, abideth true. But this letteth not but that our fayth may be helped, as ofte as it seeth the power of God: which doth so much the more mightily shew forth it selfe, as the number is greater that is gayned vnto Christ. Adde this too, that in the multitude of the beleeuers at that time was seene the fulfilling of so many prophesies, which stretch out the kingdome of God from the east to the West. Is this a small matter, or a vulgare and common helpe vnto fayth, with the eyes to beholde fulfilled, concearning the kingdome of Christ to be extended throughout all countreyes, that whiche the Prophets long afore had foretold? that which I say, there is none of the faithfull but by experience doth fynde it himselfe. Paule therefore