The-papacy-its-history-dogmas-genius-and-prospects-wylie

PETERS KEY. 219To make the meaning, as we have evolved it, still moreundoubted, it is added in the following clause, " And I willgive unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven." Thispower is manifestly given to Peter. But mark how our Lordpoints directly to him,—names him,— " I will give unto theethe keys of the kingdom of heaven." Had he, in the precedingclause, meant to intimate that he would build hisChurch on Peter, doubtless he would have said so as plainlyand with as little circumlocution as now, when giving: himthe keys. As regards this last, we shall permit Peter himselfto explain the authority and privilege implied in it." Brethren," said he, addressing the meeting at Jerusalem,*" ye know how that a good while ago God made choiceamong us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear theword of the gospel, and believe." On Peter this great honourwas conferred, that he was the first to " open thedoor"f of the gospel Church to both Jews and Gentiles.The power which Romanists assign to Peter over the apocryphalworld of purgatory, founding upon this verse, andalso his sole right to open or shut the gate of paradise, is agross and palpable misapprehension of its meaning. Peterhimself tells us it was " the door of faith" which he washonoured to open, by the discharge of an office which thosewho are the most forward to claim kindred with him are theleast ready to fulfil,—the preaching of the gospel.It is notthe man who sits as sentinel at the fabulous portal of purgatorythat carriesthe key of Peter, but the man who, bythe faithful preaching of the everlasting gospel, " opens thedoor of faith" to perishing sinners. He is the real successorof Peter ; he holds his key, and opens and shuts, on a higherauthority than Peter's,—even that of Peter's master.Farther,we must bear in mind that Christ spoke in the vernaculartongue of Judea ; and that not only are the Vulgateand English versions translations, but the Greek ofthe evangelist is a translation also ; but it is inspired, andActs, XV. 7. t Acts, xiv. 27.