The Keys were supposedly given to the Pope, the locking key for punishment and the absolution key for forgiveness. The shiny, bright locking key is favored, used constantly, and ideal for extracting money. Ask Marvin Schwan.
§ 37. — To return to the origin of these lying wonders, Mosheim remarks (vol. i., p. 371), that “the interests of virtue and true religion suffered grievously by two monstrous errors which were almost universally adopted in the fourth century, and became a source of innumerable calamities and mischiefs in the succeeding ages. The first of these maxims was, that it was an act of virtue to deceive and lie, when by that means the interests of the church might be promoted; and the second equally horrible, though in another point of view, was that errors in religion, when maintained and adhered to, after proper admonition, were punishable with civil penalties and corporal tortures. The former of these erroneous maxims was now of a long standing; it had been adopted for some ages past, and had produced an incredible number of ridiculous fables, fictitious prodigies, and pious frauds, to the unspeakable detriment of that glorious cause in which they were employed. The other maxim, relating to the justice and expediency of punishing error, was introduced with those serene and peaceful times which the accession of Constantine to the imperial throne procured to the church. It was from that period approved by many, enforced by several examples during the contests that arose with the priscillianists and donatists, confirmed and established by the authority of Augustine, and thus transmitted to the following ages.”
From Dowling, John. History of Romanism: From The Earliest Corruptions of Christianity. New York: Lutheran Library. 1871/2023. Part II, chapter 5: “Origin Of Romish Errors Continued — Worship Of Saints And Relics, Etc.”
