a. and sb. [f. L. lātitūdin-, lātitūdo LATITUDE, after trinitarian, etc. Cf. F. latitudinaire.]
A. adj. Allowing, favoring, or characterized by latitude in opinion or action, esp. in matters of religion; not insisting on strict adherence to or conformity with an established code, standard, formula, etc.; tolerating free thought or laxity of belief on religious questions; characteristic of the latitudinarians (see B).
1672–1702. Comber, Comp. Temple, 368. There were no such Latitudinarian Principles among the Apostles.
1697. Collier, Ess. Mor. Subj., I. (1709), 166. When you have made the most of it, I foresee this Latitudinarian Love will be expensive.
1733. Lett. to Mr. Holden, 26, in Ellys, Plea for Sacram. Test. (1790), 39. The prevailing opinion of England is Latitudinarian.
1794. Sullivan, View Nat., V. 200. There was a latitudinarian harmony … among the religions of the ancient world.
1812. Shelley, Proposals, Prose Wks. 1888, I. 273. It is a very latitudinarian system of morality that permits its professor to employ bad means for any end whatever.
1822–34. Good’s Study Med. (ed. 4), IV. 470. Herpes … being … by others extended so widely as to include both the preceding and the ensuing genus … and in the latitudinarian sense of the term, it is employed by Mr. B. Bell.
1827. Hallam, Const. Hist. (1876), III. xiv. 56. The men most conspicuous in the reign of Charles II. for their writings, and for their argumentative eloquence in the pulpit, were of the class who had been denominated Latitudinarian divines.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., vii. II. 182. His opinions respecting ecclesiastical polity and modes of worship were latitudinarian.
1858. Longf., in Life (1891), II. 360. The sermon … very latitudinarian in doctrine.
B. sb. One who practises or favors latitude in thought, action, or conduct, esp. in religious matters; spec. one of those divines of the English Church in the 17th century, who, while attached to episcopal government and forms of worship, regarded them as things indifferent; hence, one who, though not a sceptic, is indifferent as to particular creeds and forms of church government or worship.
1662. S. P., New Sect Latitude-men, 7. Our Latitudinarians … are by all means for a Liturgy.
1669. Pepys, Diary, 16 March. Dr. Wilkins, my friend, the Bishop of Chester … is a mighty rising man, as being a Latitudinarian.
1676. Wycherley, Pl. Dealer, I. i. Why, thou art a Latitudinarian in Friendship, that is no Friend; thou dost side with all Mankind, but wilt suffer for none.
a. 1680. Butler, Rem. (1759), II. 177. A Latitudinarian … believes the Way to Heaven is never the better for being strait.
1684. J. Goodman, Old Relig. (1848), 42. To be such Latitudinarians, as to think it indifferent what religion a man be of.
1696. Phillips (ed. 5), Latitudinarians in Religion, are those who profess a Freedom, and as it were a greater Latitude than usual in their Principles and Doctrine. It is also vulgarly applied to such as take a more than ordinary Liberty in their Lives and Conversations.
a. 1700. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, Latitudinarian, a Churchman at large, one that is no Slave to Rubrick … and in fine looks towards Lambeth, and rowes to Geneva.
1705. Hearne, Collect., 22 Nov. (O. H. S.), I. 92. This Discourse is a Justification of a Latitudinarian (the word was first hatch’d at Cambridge) against ye Zealous Nonconformists.
1753. Wesley, Eng. Dict., Latitudinarian, one who fancies all religions are saving.
1822. Syd. Smith, Wks. (1867), II. 6. These latitudinarians leant to Arminianism rather than to high Calvinism.
1859. All Year Round, No. 28. 38. ‘I am afraid going abroad has made you a latitudinarian,’ she said, anxiously.
1862. R. Vaughan, Nonconformity, 393. According to Baxter, the Latitudinarians were mostly Cambridge men.
