(2.) Those things which our Saviour had to say, which he did not then impart to his disciples, because they were not able to bear them, respected, as is more than probable, what he designed to discover to them after his resurrection, during his forty days abode here on earth, or by his Spirit, after his ascension into heaven, concerning the change of the Sabbath, from the seventh, to the first day of the week, the abolition of the ceremonial law, the Spirituality of his kingdom, which they were at that time less able to bear than they were afterwards, and other things relating to the success of their ministry, the gathering and governing of those churches, which should be planted by them; these seem to be intended by that expression, and not those doctrines which the Papists transmit by oral traditions; such as the use of oil and spittle, together with water in baptism, and the sign of the cross therein; the baptism of bells, the lighting up of candles in churches at noon-day: nor that of purgatory, or praying for the dead, or giving divine adoration to images or relics, which are altogether unscriptural, and such as he would not have, at any time, communicated unto them. (3.) Those words of our Saviour, _It is more blessed to give than to receive_, though they are not contained in one distinct proposition, or in express words in the gospels, yet he therein exhorts his people _to give to him that asketh_; and speaks of the blessing that attends this duty, _that they might be_, that is, approve themselves to be _the children of their Father_, Mat. v. 42. compared with 45. and exhorts them to hospitality to the poor, and adds a blessing to it, Luke xiv. 12, 13, 14. Or, suppose the apostle refers to a saying frequently used by our Saviour, which might then be remembered by some who had conversed with him; this is no sufficient warrant for any one to advance doctrines contrary to those our Saviour delivered, under a pretence of having received them by unwritten tradition. 2. This doctrine is farther defended from the words of the apostle, in 1 Tim. vi. 20. where he advises Timothy to _keep that which was committed to his trust_, _viz._ those traditions which he was to remember and communicate to others: and also the advice which he gives to the church, _To hold the traditions which they had been taught, either by word or by his epistle_, 2 Thess. ii. 15. the former respects, say they, unwritten traditions, the latter is inspired writings.