Ambrose of Milan on Scripture and Tradition [Part 1]

 

Letter 22

"For otherwise they would not have any feeling against their works, did they not judge that they have not the faith which was in them, that faith established by the tradition of our forefathers, which the devils themselves cannot deny, but the Arians do." (https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/340922.htm)

The next section gives us insight as to what Ambrose is referring to when he speaks of "the faith":

"21. We have today heard those on whom hands were laid say, that no one can be saved unless he believe in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; that he is dead and buried who denies the Holy Spirit, and believes not the almighty power of the Trinity. The devil confesses this, but the Arians refuse to do so. The devil says: Let him who denies the Godhead of the Holy Spirit be so tormented as himself was tormented by the martyrs."

He is not speaking of "tradition" in the sense of things which cannot be found in Scripture and yet are necessary for belief and salvation.

On the Christian Faith, Book 1 - Prologue, Section 5

"Of the Acts of Councils, I shall let that one be my chief guide which three hundred and eighteen priests [at the Council of Nicaea: 325 AD], appointed, as it were, after the judgment of Abraham, made (so to speak) a trophy raised to proclaim their victory over the infidel throughout the world, prevailing by that courage of the Faith, wherein all agreed. Verily, as it seems to me, one may herein see the hand of God, . . ." (https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/34041.htm)

Ambrose followed Nicaea (as I personally do) in that Nicaea was in agreement with Scripture, not necessarily because of some sort of inherent infallible authority in church councils. This is evidenced by the following quote:

"So, indeed, following the guidance of the Scriptures, our fathers [at Nicaea] declared, holding, moreover, that impious doctrines should be included in the record of their decrees, in order that the unbelief of Arius should discover itself, and not, as it were, mask itself with dye or face-paint" (On the Christian Faith, Book 1, Chapter 18)