The New Sect of Latitude-Men, Letter 1
A BRIEF Account of the new SECT OF LATITUDE-MEN Together with ſome reflections upon the NEVV PHILOSOPHY.
By S. P. of Cambridge.
In anſwer to a Letter from his Friend at Oxford.
Quod verum, id antiquiſſimum.
Fama vix vero favet,
Pejus merenti melior, & pejor bono.
London, Printed and are to be ſold in St. Pauls Churchyard, and in Weſtmimſter-Hall and Oxford and Cambridge, 166….
For my worthy Friend Mr. S. P. at Cambridge.
Sir,
THat averſation which I perceive to be no leſs in you than in my ſelfe, from the impertinent exchange of meer words and complements would ſoon put a period to our formerly more frequent intercourſe; but that I have a certain itch of curioſity, to know what news there is abroad, which though it may be, is as impertinent, yet it ſerves to correct the ſeverity of that other humour, which if too much indulged, would make the friendſhip of thoſe that live at diſtance too dull and ſtupid, and no better then what may be between the living and the dead. Which conſideration advantaged by that natural inclination of mine, as it hath formerly created you ſome trouble about matters of no great importance, ſo it is likely to ſupply me with frequent occaſions of the ſame kind for the future; but at preſent I ſhall not need to ſeek for that which obtrudes it ſelfe upon me, whether I will or no. I can come into no company of late, but I find the chief diſcourſe to be about a certain new Sect of men called Latitude-men: but though the name be in every mans mouth, yet the explicit meaning of it, or the hereſy which they hold, or the individual perſons that are of it, are as unknown (for ought I can learn) as the order of the Roſy-crucians. On the one ſide I hear them repreſented as a party very dangerous both to the King and Church, as ſeeking to undermine them both: on the other ſide I cannot hear what their particular opinions or practices are, that bear any ſuch dangerous aſpect; to ſay the truth, I can meet with nothing diſtinct concerning them, but that they had their riſe at Cambridge, and are followers for the moſt part, of the new Philoſophy, wherewith they have ſo poyſoned that Fountain, that there are like to iſſue out very unwholſome ſtreams throughout the whole Kingdome. I ſhould be very glad from your own mouth to be reſolved of the meaning of this myſtical name, and the Sect it denominates, which all of ſuddain is become ſo formidable, if we have any Act this year to invite you to Oxford; if not, pray faile not to do it in as ample a manner in writing, to which if you will add your thoughts alſo concerning the New Philoſophy, you will not a little gratifie the reſt of your old acquaintance here, as well as
Sir, Yours and G. B. Oxford May 15th. 1662.