Matthew Poole and continuators on Galatians 3:22

22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin , that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe .

It pleased God to give a Law, which if Adam had continued in his estate of innocence, might have given life; God considering man in his lapsed state, that now is not possible, Rom. 3.10. There is none righteous, no not one, and Eph. 2.3. We are all children of wrath.

That the promises of Life and Salvation might be given to those, who, according to the new Covenant of the Gospel, should receive and accept of the Mediator, and the terms of Salvation which God offers to us in the Gospel; where these promises are exhibited upon condition of Believing. Though upon our first reflection upon it, it may seem strange to us, that God having in his Eternal counsels fixed the Salvation of man upon a Covenant of Grace, and his believing in Jesus Christ, should in time first propound a Covenant of works, do this and live; yet upon our second thoughts this will appear necessary; For till man was a transgressor by breaking the Law, and violating the first Covenant, there was no room for a Mediator; no cause for mens applying themselves to a Mediator. God therefore first gave out the Covenant of works, and suffered man to break it; and then he revealed the Mediator to lapsed man; that so they who should believe in him might obtain the promise of life, to which by the fall they had forfeited their right.

Marginal references: Rom. 11.3[illegible: 1 letter]