The harmony of the Old and New Testament and the obscure texts explained with a relation especially to the times that preceded Christ and how they meet in him, his genealogie and other mysteries preparatory to his first coming / written in French by John d'Espagne ... ; and published in English by his executor.

Whatsoever thou shalt bind on Earth, shall be bound in Heaven, &c.

LEt me have leave to bring on these words a new Exposition, or at least a Conjecture: This binding and loosing hath no relation to the persons, as if they were to be bound or loosed; nor to the things, as if to bind should signifie to pro∣hibit; and to loose, should be the same to permit, which is the Exposition of a learned modern Author. But the next foregoing vvords in this Text, I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of hea∣ven, do give some light to these. It hath been observed, that among the Solemni∣ties used by the Jews, in the creating of a Doctor of the Lavv, some keys vvere put into his hands; namely, the keys of the Archives or places vvhere the Copies

of the Sacred Books vvere kept; and 'tvvas as much as to say, that the nevv Doctor had povver henceforth publickly to read and teach. Jesus Christ makes an allusion on that Ceremony, promising St. Peter to make him a Doctor of the Gospel. This hath been observed by our Predecessors, but vve may add thereunto vvhat follovveth.

It's knovvn vvhat the form of Books of old vvas, they vvere made after the manner of Rolls, and necessarily tied vvith some small string, to avoid the im∣broiling of the Margents, and keep them in a good condition; vvhen any one vvas vvilling to read therein, they used to untie them; and vvhen a long intermission of reading vvas intended, they vvould again tie them. Novv the Keys promised by Christ to St. Peter, vvere the Keys that opens the dore to the Doctors of the Gospel, that they might take out of it the Book, and might tie and untie it; that is to fay, that they might keep it shut, or open it, as it shall be convenient. The first is done vvhen they do refuse unbelievers and unrepenting persons the application of the Promises contained in the Gospel. The second is done upon a contrary subject. An example of the first in St. Peter him∣self, vvhen he said to Simon the Magician, Thou hast neither part nor lot in this

matter, viz. in the Doctrine of the Go∣spel. Then was that Book tyed, as to that Hypocrite. That which is tyed and un∣tyed, is indeed but one and the same Book, but distinguished from it self by the diffe∣rence of those two actions. That which is savour of life unto some, and savour of death to others, is but one and the same Gospel.