Commentary upon the Epistle to the Galatians

Paul maketh not the law perpetual, but he sayeth that it was given and added to the promises for transgressions: that is to say, to restrain them civilly, but specially to reveal and to increase them spiritually, and that not continually, but for a time. Here it is necessary to know how long the power and the tyranny of the law ought to endure, which discovereth sin, showeth unto us what we are, and revealeth the wrath of God. They whose hearts are touched with an inward feeling of these matters, should suddenly perish if they should not receive comfort. Therefore if the days of the law should not be shortened, no man should be saved. A time therefore must be set, and bounds limited to the law, beyond the which it may not reign. How long then ought the dominion of the law to endure? Until the Seed come: to wit, that Seed of which it is written:¹ In thy Seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. The tyranny of the law then must so long continue, until the fullness of time, and that Seed of the Blessing come: Not to the end that the law should bring this Seed or give righteousness, but that it should civilly restrain the rebellious and obstinate, and shut them up as it were in a prison and then spiritually should reprove them of sin, humble them & terrify them, and when they are thus humbled & beaten down, it should constrain them to rise up to that blessed Seed.

Paule maketh not the lawe perpetuall, but he sayeth that it was geuen and added to the promises for transgressions: that is to say, to restraine them ciuily, but specially to reueale and to encrease them spiritually, and that not continually, but for a time. Here it is necessary to know how long the power and the tyrānie of the law ought to endure, which discouereth sinne, sheweth vnto vs what we are, and reuealeth the wrath of God. They whose hartes are touched with an inward feeling of these matters, should suddenly perish if they should not receaue comfort. Therefore if the dayes of the lawe should not be shortned, no man should be saued. A time therfore must be set, and bounds limited to the lawe, beyond the which it may not raigne. How long then ought ye dominion of the lawe to endure? Vntill the Seede come: to witte, that Seede of which it is wrytten:¹ In thy Seede shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. The tyrannie of the lawe then must so long continue, vntill the fulnes of time, and that Seede of the Blessing come: Not to the ende that ye law should bring this Seede or geue righteousnes, but that it should ciuily restraine the rebellious and obstinate, and shut thē vppe as it were in a prison and then spiritually should reproue them of sinne, humble them & terrifie them, and when they are thus humbled & beaten downe, it should cōstraine them to rise vp to that blessed Seede.