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SYNOD OF WHITBY. 51
"Were these words verily uttered by the Lord to
Peter?" "It is true, O King," was the only reply
which could be given. " Have you anything to
show," pursued Oswy, "that a like power was ever
given to your venerated Columba ? " " Nothing,"
was the answer. The king went on,— "Are you
both agreed that these words were spoken specially
to Peter, and that to him were given by the Lord the
keys of the kingdom of heaven ? " " On that point,"
the disputants replied, "we are quite agreed." "I
tell you, then," said the royal president, " if Peter be
the door-keeper I will say nought in opposition to
him, but will in all things obey him ; lest when I
l^resent myself at the gates of that kingdom I find
them locked and barred, and he who beyond all
question is the porter, and alone has power to open,
should refuse to turn the key."
There was much discussion likewise respecting the
modes of tonsure advocated respectively by the Scotic
and Roman party, but Bede gives no particulars as
to the arguments adduced on either side. The questions
which came before the Synod, viewing them as
we do through the long vista of centuries, appear to
have provoked a very disproportionate amount of
contention and acerbity. But in all ages matters of
ritual are apt to provoke controversy, and to embitter
the feelings of disputants to an extent far exceeding
the intrinsic importance attaching to them.
The great majority of the council pronounced in
favour of the Roman usage on both of the points in controversy.
Even Cedd relinquished the Scotic practice.
Colman went his way, discomfited but unconvinced.