33. And this confession is indeed rightly
made by them, for they have not the succession of Peter, who hold not
the chair of Peter, which they rend by wicked schism; and this, too,
they do, wickedly denying that sins can be forgiven even in the Church,
whereas it was said to Peter: “I will give unto thee the
keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth
shall be bound also in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth
shall be loosed also in heaven.” S. Matt. xvi. 19. And the vessel of divine election
himself said: “If ye have forgiven anything to any one, I
forgive also, for what I have forgiven I have done it for your sakes in
the person of Christ.” 2 Cor. ii. 10. Why, then,
do they read Paul’s writings, if they think that he has erred so
wickedly as to claim for himself the right of his Lord? But he
claimed what he had received, he did not usurp that which was not due
to him.