ion, our Lord here declares to him
the dignity to which he is pleased to raise him: viz., that he to whom
he had already given the name of Peter, signifying a rock, St. John 1.
42, should be a rock indeed, of invincible strength, for the support of
the building of the church; in which building he should be, next to
Christ himself, the chief foundation stone, in quality of chief pastor,
ruler, and governor; and should have accordingly all fulness of
ecclesiastical power, signified by the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
Upon this rock, etc... The words of Christ to Peter, spoken in the
vulgar language of the Jews which our Lord made use of, were the same as
if he had said in English, Thou art a Rock, and upon this rock I will
build my church. So that, by the plain course of the words, Peter is
here declared to be the rock, upon which the church was to be built:
Christ himself being both the principal foundation and founder of the
same. Where also note, that Christ, by building his house, that is, his
church, upon a rock, has thereby secured it against all storms and
floods, like the wise builder, St. Matt. 7. 24, 25. The gates of hell,
etc... That is, the powers of darkness, and whatever Satan can do,
either by himself, or his agents. For as the church is here likened to a
house, or fortress, built on a rock; so the adverse powers are likened
to a contrary house or fortress, the gates of which, that is, the whole
strength, and all the efforts it can make, will never be able to prevail
over the city or church of Christ. By this promise we are fully assured,
that neither idolatry, heresy, nor any pernicious error whatsoever shall
at any time prevail over the church of Christ.

16:19. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And
whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven:
and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in
heaven.

Loose on earth... The loosing the bands of temporal punishments due to
sins, is called an indulgence; the power of which is here granted.

16:20. Then he commanded his disciples, that they should tell no one
that he was Jesus the Christ.

16:21. From that time Jesus began to shew to his disciples, that he must
go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the ancients and scribes
and chief priests, and be put to death, and the third day rise again.

16:22. And Peter taking him, began to rebuke him, saying: Lord, be it
far from t