B20727:38
The keys of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…The keyes of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word…
The keys of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word of God / by Mr. John Cotton ...The keyes of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof according to the word of God / by Mr. Iohn Cotton ...
London: printed by M. Simmons for Henry Overton, 1644
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven are promised by the Lord Jesus (the head and King of his Church) unto Peter, Mat. 16.19. To thee (saith Christ) will I give the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth, shall be bound in Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in Heaven. The words being Allegorical, are therefore somewhat obscure: and holding forth honour & power in the Church, are therefore controversial;1 For where there is no honour (nor pride to pursue it) there is no contention. It will not therefore be amiss, for opening of the Doctrine of the Power of the keys; somewhat to open the words of this Text, whereon that power is built. Five words require a little clearing.
THe Keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven are promised by the Lord Jesus (the head and King of his Church) unto Peter, Mat. 16.19. To thee (saith Christ) will I give the keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt binde on earth, shall be bound in Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in Heaven. The words being Allegoricall, are therfore somewhat obscure: and holding forth honor & power in the Church, are therefore controversall;1 For where there is no honour (nor pride to pursue it) there is no contention. It will not therefore be amisse, for opening of the Doctrine of the Power of the keyes; somewhat to open the words of this Text, whereon that power is built. Five words require a little clearing.
1. What is here meant by the Kingdom of Heaven? 2. What are the keys of this kingdom, and the giving of them? 3. What are the acts of these Keys, which are said to be binding and loosing? 4. What is the object of these acts to be bound or loosed, here put under a general name, Whatsoever? 5. Who is the subject recipient of this power, or to whom is this power given? To thee will I give the Keys, &c.