"The only well ordered Vine-yard": when Latitudinarians and Laudians agree
From Simon Patrick's 1662 pamphlet A brief account of the new sect of latitude-men - a defence of those termed by opponents 'Latitudinarians' - another example of how the Church of England was viewed as a via media between Rome and those churches whose experience of Reformation lacked wise moderation and prudence. As stated in an earlier post , and contrary to MacCulloch's assertion, this understanding of the reformed ecclesia Anglicana was no Laudian innovation but, rather, characteristic of standard Conformist apologetics. And here Patrick, as a representative of the "Latitude-men", praises this understanding of the Church of England in terms indistinguishable from the Laudians and their successors: The Church of Rome is a luxuriant vine, full of superfluous branches, and overrun with wild grapes, from whence many a poysonous and intoxicating potion is pressed forth; But the greatest part of Reformers have done like the rude Thracian in the Apologue, wh...