Matthew Poole and continuators on Galatians 3:23

23 But before faith came , we were kept under the law , shut up unto the faith which should afterward be revealed .

Before the Covenant of Grace, or the Doctrine of the Gospel, or Christ himself was revealed.

The Apostle either speaks of all mankind; of whom it is true, that until Gods revelation of the Covenant of Grace, they had no other way of Salvation made known to them than by the Law of works, or else of the Jews; to whom, though before Christ there was a revelation of the Gospel, yet it was more dark and imperfect, so as they were kept under the Law; but few apprehending any other way of Justification, than by the works of the Law. But the Apostle saith they were but shut up under it; God never intended it, as that by the observance of which they should be saved; but as even then

to those whom he intended to save, he made a more secret Revelation of his Gospel, so he had now more fully and plainly revealed the way of Salvation which he had from Eternity established.