Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

The first use then of the law is, to bridle the wicked. For the Devil reigneth throughout the whole world,¹ and enforceth men to all kinds of horrible wickedness. Therefore God hath ordained Magistrates, parents,² Ministers, laws, bonds, and all civill ordinances, that if they can do no more, yet at the least they may bind the Devils hands, that he rage not in his bondslaves after his own lust. Like as therefore they that are possessed, in whom the Devil mightily reigneth, are kept in bonds and chains lest they should hurt other: even so in the world, which is possessed of the Devil and carried headlong into all kinds of wickedness, the Magistrate is present with his bonds and chains: that is to say, with his laws, binding his hands and feet that he run not headlong into all mischief. And if he suffer not him self to be bridled after this sort, then he loseth his head. This civill restraint is very necessary and appointed of God, as well for public peace, as also for the preservation of all things, but specially lest the course of the Gospel should be hindered by the tumults and seditions of wicked, outrageous & proud men. But Paul entreateth not here of this civil use and office of the law. It is in deed very necessary, but it justifieth not. For as a possessed or mad man is not therefore free from the snares of the Devil or well in his mind, because he hath his hands and his feet bound and can do no hurt: even so the world, although it be bridled by the law from outward wickedness and mischief, yet is it not therefore righteous, but still continueth wicked: yea this restraint showeth plainly that the world is wicked and outrageous, stirred up and enforced to all wickedness by his Prince the Devil: for otherwise it need not to be bridled by laws that it should not sin.

The first vse then of the law is, to bridle the wicked. For the Deuil raigneth throughout the whole world,¹ and enforceth men to all kindes of horrible wickednes. Therefore God hath ordained Magistrates, parentes,² Ministers, lawes, bonds, and all ciuill ordinaunces, that if they can doe no more, yet at ye least they may binde the Deuils hands, yt he rage not in his bondslaues after his owne lust. Like as therfore they that are possessed, in whom the Deuill mightely raigneth, are kept in bondes and chaines lest they should hurte other: euen so in the worlde, which is possessed of the Deuill and caried headlong into all kindes of wickednes, the Magistrate is present with his bondes and chaines: yt is to say, with his lawes, binding his handes and feete that he runne not headlong into all mischiefe. And if he suffer not him selfe to be brideled after this sorte, then he loseth his head. This ciuill restrainte is very necessary and appointed of God, as wel for publike peace, as also for the preseruation of all thinges, but specially lest the course of the Gospell shoulde be hindered by the tumultes and seditions of wicked, outragious & proud mē. But Paule entreateth not here of this ciuil vse and office of the law. It is in deede very necessary, but it iustifieth not. For as a possessed or madde man is not therefore free from the snares of the Deuill or well in his minde, because he hath his handes and his feete bound and can do no hurt: euen so the world, although it be brideled by the law from outward wickednes and mischiefe, yet is it not therefore righteous, but still continueth wicked: yea this restrainte sheweth plainely that the world is wicked and outragious, stirred vp and enforced to all wickednes by his Prince the Deuill: for otherwise it neede not to be brideled by lawes that it should not sinne.