The dignities of the keies.19. The keyes.) That is, the authoritie or Chaire, of doctrine, knowledge, judgement and discretion between true, and false doctrine: the height of governement, the power of making lawes, of calling Councels, of the principal voice in them, of confirming them, of making Canons & holesom decrees, of abrogating the contrarie, of ordaining Bishops and Pastours, or deposing and suspending them: finally the power to dispense the goods of the Church both spiritual and temporal. Apoc. 1.
Esa. 22, 22.Which signification of preeminent power and authoritie by the word, keyes, the Scripture expresseth in many places: namely speaking of Christ, I have the keyes of death and Hel, that is, the rule. And Againe: I wil give the key of the house of David upon his shoulder. Moreover it signifieth that men cannot come into Heaven but by him, the keyes signifying also authoritie to open and shut, as it is said Apoc. 3. of Christ: who hath the key of David, he shutteth and no man openeth. By which words we gather that Peters authoritie is marvelous, to whom the keyes, that is, the power to open and shut Heaven, is given. And therfore by the name of keyes is given that supereminent power which is called, in comparison of the power granted to other Apostles, Bishops and Pastours, plenitudo potestatis, fulnes of power. Bernard, lib. 2. de considerat. c. 8.
19. Whatsoever thou shalt bind.) Al kind of discipline and punishment of offenders, either spiritual (which directly is here meant) or corporal so farre as it tendeth to the execution of the spiritual charge, is comprised under the word, bind. Of which sort be Excommunications, Anathematismes, Suspensions, degradations, and other censures, & penalties or penances enjoyned either in the Sacrament of Confession, or in the exteriour Courts of the Church, for punishment both of other crimes, and specially of heresie & rebellion against the Church, and the cheefe pastours therof.
19. Loose.) To loose, is as the cause and the offenders case requireth; to loose them of any the former bandes, and to restore them to the Churches Sacraments and Communion of the faithful and execution of their function; to pardon also either al, or part of the pennance enjoyned, or what debtes so ever man oweth to God, or the Church. for the satisfaction of his sinnes forgiven. Which kind of releasing or loosing is called Indulgence: finally this whatsoever, excepteth nothing that is punishable or pardonable by Christ in earth, for he hath committed his power to Peter. And so the validitie of Peters sentence in binding or loosing whatsoever, shal by Christs promise be ratified in Heaven. Leo Ser. de Transfig. & Ser. 2. in annivers. assump. ad Pontif. Hilar. can. 16. in Matt. Epiph. in Anchorato prope initium. If now any temporal power can shew their warrant out of Scripture for such soveraigne power, as is here given to Peter, & consequently to his successours, by these words, whatsoever thou shalt bind, and by the very keyes, wherby greatest soveraigntie is signified in Gods Church as in his familie and houshold, and therfore principally attributed and given to Christ Esa. 22.
Apoc. 3.* who in the Scripture is said to have the key of David, but here communicated also unto Peter, as the name of Rock: if I say any temporal potestate can shew authoritie for the like soveraigntie, let them chalenge hardly to behead not only of one particular, but of the whole universal Church.
Good workes.
Frewil.27. Workes.) He saith not, to give every man according to his mercie (or their faith) but according to their workes. August. de verb. Apost. Ser. 35. And againe; How should our Saviour reward every one according to their works, if there were no free wil? August. lib. 2. cap. 4. 5. 8. de Act. cum Fælic. Manich.
Chap. XVII.
The Transfiguration of our Lord, celebrated in the Church the 6. of Aug. The Ghospel of the said feast, & of the 2. Sunday in Lent: & on Imber Saturday before.Mr. 9, 2.
Lu. 9, 28.
2. Pet. 1, 17.AND after six dayes Jesus taketh unto him Peter, and James, & John his brother, & bringeth them into a high mountaine apart: 2And he was ″ transfigured before them. And his face did shine
