The key of the church-door, or of other locked place in the church; fig. in quot. 1685 alluding to the ‘power of the keys.’
1393. Gower, Conf., I. 12. Into the swerd the chirche keie Is torned.
1518. in Glasscock, Rec. St. Michael’s, Bp. Stortford (1882), 36. A new lather bag to bere in the chirch keyes, ijd.
1685. Baxter, Paraphr. N. T. (1695), Postscr., E c e. When Greg. 7. fell on mastering Princes by his Church Keys, &c.
