A commentary of M. I. Calvin upon the Epistle to the GalatiansA commentarie of M. I. Caluine vpon the Epistle to the Galathians

As therefore they were besieged and held in on every side by the curse: so had they a ward or defence against this siege, which might defend them from the curse. wherefore he showeth that the ward of the Law was in spirit very free Faith at that time was not as yet revealed: not because the fathers were void of all light, but because they had less light than we, for whereas with them Christ was shadowed by ceremonies, as being absent: at these days he is as it were set before us even to our face. so for the Glass which they had to see him in, we at these days have the substance or thing it self. Whatsoever therefore the obscurity of the Law was, yet the Fathers were not ignorant in what way they ought to walk. for although the light about the dawning be not so clear as it is about noon: yet those that are travellers tarry not till the sun be full up, because it is enough for them to hold on their journey. so their portion of light was unto them like the dawning, which might guide them safely from all peril of error to eternal bliss.

As therefore they were besieged and helde in on euery side by the curse: so had they a warde or defence agaynst this siege, which mighte defende them from the curse. wherefore he sheweth that the ward of the Lawe was in spirite very free Faith at that time was not as yet reuealed: not because the fathers were voyde of al light, but because they had lesse light than we, for whereas with them Christ was shadowed by ceremonies, as being absent: at these dayes hee is as it were set before vs euen to our face. so for the Glasse whiche they had to see him in, we at these dayes haue the substaunce or thing it selfe. Whatsoeuer therefore the obscuritie of the Lawe was, yet the Fathers were not ignoraunte in what waye they ought to walke. for although the light aboute the dawning bee not so cleare as it is about noone: yet those that are trauailers tarry not till the sonne be full vp, because it is ynough for them to holde on their iorney. so their portion of light was vnto them like the dauning, which might guide them safely from all perill of error to eternall blisse.

24 Therefore the Law was our Schoolmaster.) The second similitude which declareth the mind of Paul yet more clearly. for also a Schoolmaster is not appointed unto any for all their life: but is appointed only for the time they be children, as appeareth by the Etymology or meaning of the word