Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 5:13

13 For untill the Law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no Law .

q. d. It appears that all have sinned, because sin was alwayes in the world, not only after the Law was given by Moses, but also before, even from the beginning of the World till that time.

q. d. It appears there was a Law before the Law of Moses, for if there had been no Law all that while, then sin would not have been imputed to men, so as to make them liable to punishment or death▪ but sin was imputed or charged upon men before the Law of Moses, and death past upon all. Therefore there must be a Law by the transgression of which men were sinners before that time. And that was either the Law of Nature, or the positive Law which God gave to Adam, the transgressions whereof is imputed to all, as we shall see, v. 19. Some think the Apostle doth here obviate a Cavil. q. d. Let no man think that sin began to have its being together with the Law, for there was sin before there was any written Law to forbid it. The same acts that were forbidden afterwards by the Law, were before committed, and were really sinful in the sight of God. But sin was not so well known, nor so strictly charged upon the sinner as it is since the Law was given. It was not imputed comparatively, though absolutely it was, as may appear by many instances, as the drowning of the World, the destruction of Sodom, &c.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 4.15.