A09339:4439
A Golden Chain
A golden chain: or The description of theology containing the order of the causes of salvation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seen in the table annexed. Hereunto is adjoined the order which M. Theodore Beza used in comforting afflicted consciences.A golden chaine: or The description of theologie containing the order of the causes of saluation and damnation, according to Gods word. A view whereof is to be seene in the table annexed. Hereunto is adioyned the order which M. Theodore Beza vsed in comforting afflicted consciences.
Cambridge: printed by John Legat, 1600Cambridge: printed by Iohn Legat, 1600
Section 7 › Objections for Traditions.Section 7 › Obiections for Traditions.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Object. IV. Moses in Mount Sinai, beside the written law, received from God a more secret doctrine, which he never writ, but delivered by tradition or word of mouth to the Prophets after him; and this the Jews have now set down in their Cabala. Ans. This indeed is the opinion of some of the Jews, whom in effect and substance sundry Papists follow: but we take it for no better then a Jewish dotage. For if Moses had known any secret doctrine beside the written law, he would never have given this commandment of the said law, thou shalt not add any thing thereto.
Obiect. IV. Moses in Mount Sina, beside the written lawe, receiued from God a more secret doctrine, which he neuer writ, but deliuered by tradition or word of mouth to the Prophets after him; and this the Iewes haue now set downe in their Cabala. Ans. This indeede is the opinion of some of the Iewes, whome in effect and substance sundrie Papists follow: but wee take it for no better then a Iewish dotage. For if Moses had known any secret doctrine beside the written law, he would neuer haue giuen this commandement of the said lawe, thou shalt not adde any thing thereto.
Object. V. Heb. 5. 12. Gods word is of two sorts, milk and strong meat. By milk we must understand the word of God written wherein God speaks plainly to the capacity of the rudest: but strong meat is unwritten traditions, a doctrine not to be delivered unto all, but to those that grow to perfection. Ans. We must know, that one and the same word of God is milk and strong meat, in regard of the manner of handling and propounding of it. For being ⟨p. 955⟩delivered generally and plainly to capacity of the simplest, it is milk; but being handled particularly and largely, and so fitted for men of more understā ding, it is strong meat. As for example, the doctrine of the creation, of mans fall, and redemption by Christ, when it is taught overly and plainly, it is milk: but when the depth of the same is throughly opened, it is strong meat. And therefore it is a conceit of mans brain, to imagine that some unwritten word is meant by strong meat.