Catechesis Pro Advltioribvs Scripta, De his potissimum capitibus

Otherwise, the books of both Testaments cohere among themselves and mutually explain and illustrate one another.

Traditions of the apostles.

I. Many say, meanwhile, that many things were handed down orally by the holy apostles of Christ which were not comprised in writing, which are themselves no less necessary for salvation than the written ones. R. The apostle John confesses that Jesus also did many other things which are not written in the evangelical history: he says the same, however: "But these are written, so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, that Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name." John 20:30-31 From this I gather that, as far as salvation is concerned, nothing is missing from the written apostolic and evangelical doctrine. Elsewhere Paul says: "I hope to come to you, but if I am delayed, I write these things, so that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God." 1 Tim. 3:14-15 I. What then? Do you consider those traditions which some boast about so much to be empty and useless? R. Nay, I consider them even harmful, if they fight against those things which have been handed down to us in the scriptures, with which they must be compared. Nor did the Lord Jesus think highly of the traditions of the Fathers or elders in the Gospel, which differ little from them: as can be seen in Matthew 15.