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tically alludes, when he promises to St. Peter, the custody of the keys.

With this, the second article of the promise, the authority to loose and bind, is closely connected. St. Peter was the first instrument of providence, in dissolving the obligation of the Mosaic law, in the ceremonial, and of binding it in the moral part. The proclamation indeed for that purpose, was drawn by St. James, and confirmed by the authority of the apostles in general, under the direction of the Holy Ghost; but the Holy Ghost moved the apostles to this great business, by the suggestion and persuasion of St. Peter, as we read in the fifteenth chapter of the Acts of the apostles. And this was his particular and personal commission, to bind and loose, a commission which the great apostle fulfilled, once for all, in his lifetime: and being ful

heaven, as well as he,) but to Joppa, for St. Peter. Accordingly, in the synod met at Jerusalem, St. Peter speaks thus:"Men and brethren, you know how that a good while ago, God chose me out among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word." Acts

XV.
. 7.

filled, it cannot be repeated. He handseled the key. He unlocked the kingdom of heaven, to all true believers, of every nation under the sun. He loosed and he bound: loosed or abrogated the ceremonial law; bound or confirmed the moral; and thus laid the foundation of the christian church, on that only rock of refuge, which shall know no failure, Jesus Christ the righteous; from whence I infer, that the promise to St. Peter, was literally fulfilled, by a primacy of order, and not of power, and that the foundation of the church of Christ, being once laid, St. Peter neither hath, nor can have a successor in this matter.

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CHAPTER VI.

ON THE SUPREMACY OF THE POPE.

Feed my sheep. John xxi. 16.

THE sheep, which our blessed Saviour, in his last instructions, commands St. Peter to feed, were not the apostles, his fellow shepberds, who had received the same unlimited commission, to teach all nations the truths of christianity, and feed, with wholesome doctrine, converts to the faith; but believers in general, whom St. Peter himself calls the flock of God; and concerning whom St. Paul, (who solemnly declares, that he had not his apostolical appointment from man, neither by man,) gives this pastoral injunction,-"Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers." Acts xx. 28.

The Catholics, however, who contend for the prerogatives of the Roman See, in

form us, that the authority of Peter over the other apostles, is to be collected from these words, "Feed my sheep," for Christ, say they, in the chapter before us, committed to him the care, not only of the lambs, but also of the sheep, or mothers of the flock, that is, of all future pastors and teachers. In opposition to this doctrine, confuted by the whole history of the gospel, and all antiquity, Ambrose (De Dign. Sacerd page 336.) observes, Not Peter only, "Sed nos cum eo," but we with him, have received commission, to feed Christ's sheep, and what is said to Peter, feed my sheep, (ad omnes Dicitur) is said to all.*

It is worthy of notice, that the honourable name of Peter, is here dropped, and that of

Which sheep, and which flock, not only St. Peter, but all other priests with him, did receive. Ambros de Sacerd.

St. Austin expresses the same sentiment, in these words-St. Peter was a pastor, and Paul a pastor, and the rest of the apostles were pastors, and good bishops are pastors. Aug. in John iv. 6

Let feeding signify what it may, instruction or government, it nevertheless relates to the apostolic charge. To teach was a common duty, to lead and to rule were com

Simon substituted in its place, which carries with it some reproach. The question "Simon son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" three times put, also insinuates distrust, and some of the fathers suppose, that Christ makes the enquiry thrice, that Peter, by a three fold confession, might atone for his three fold denial.

The charge to feed the sheep three times repeated, refers perhaps both to St. Peter's former zeal, and former failures, that his zeal might be confirmed by a kind and affectionate injunction, and his failure be prevented by the solemn repetition of the precept. The force of the cominand was indeed most sensibly perceived. It touched the feelings of a heart, which was ever open to remonstrance. It was no boastful word which followed, but a sorrowful, yet resolute appeal to him, who could read the heart, "Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee," and from that time, we find, how punc

mon functions; St. Peter, therefore, neither would, nor could apply the chief authority to himself. It is his own exhortation- Be mindful of the commandment, (or precept) of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour," 2 Pet. iii. 2.

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