Matthew Poole and continuators on Colossians 1:6

6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world , and bringeth forth fruit , as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it , and knew the grace of God in truth .

And passing the narrow bounds of Iudaea, unto all or most of the regions of the World, v. 23. Mat. 24.14. Act. 2.5. Rom. 1.8. & 10.18. So admirable was the progress of it East, West, North, and South, welnigh over the World as it was then known to the Greeks and Romans, whereupon the Apostle might well write, Christ was believed on in the world, 1 Tim. 3.16. As Christ had said he was the light of the World and by a figure of part for the whole, would upon his death draw all men to him, Ioh. 12.32, 46. yet let not the Rhemists or any other Romanist think that the promulgation of the mysteries of the Gospel then is any proof of the verity of the Romish Religion in these latter ages when by Tyranny they impose for doctrines the traditions of men: they do not bring forth that genuine fruit which the Colossians did.

Viz. becoming the Gospel (as the Philippians did, c. 1.27.) and title repentance, Mat. 3.8. & 13.23. Ioh. 15.16. and real holiness abiding in the hearts and lives of men, and effectually working in them that believe it, Is. 55.10. Act. 5.14. & 6.7. & 12.24. & 16.17.19.20. 1 Thess. 2.13. which the practical Religion of the Papists generally bears no proportion to, being contrary to that.

Which from the first receiving of the Gospel, was found growing amongst the true converts at Colosse, though it should seem false teachers crept in to choke the good fruit with their tares.

However they who had real experience of the grace of God and the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, Psal. 3.8. did hold bringing forth fruit in old age, Psal. 92.14.

Marginal references: Mark, 4.8.