I think you're still missing the point Diamond, the issue is not the authority to bind and loose, the point is that the keys represent a position of authority. This is indisputable, the contention between the Eastern and Western catholic Church revolves around the nature and extent of that authority. Peter was called "rock", he was given sole possession of the keys and was given a particular commission the "feed" the flock. Peter was special, to deny that is to deny Scripture. Besides, what authority does a "Romanist" like Augustine have for a sola scriptura Protestant? Are you prepared to adopt his views of the Eucharist, the authority of the pope, the role free will plays in Christ's plan of salvation?
A church Father, no mater how great, is not a singular source for authoritative teaching on all things.
...the point is that the keys represent a position of authority. This is indisputable, the contention between the Eastern and Western catholic Church revolves around the nature and extent of that authority. Indubitably. My point in quoting Augustine, though, is to show that his interpretation (as well as the other church fathers, I might add) of the Matthew 16 text is completely foreign to the preconceived theology that the Modern Roman Catholic church has imported into it with such things as Roman bishops' universal jurisdiction over the Church, Roman bishops as exclusive successors of Peter, infallibility, etc.
Cordially,