a. Obs. [f. prec. + -AL.] a. = FAMILISTIC a.; b. = FAMILISTIC b.
a. 1653. Gauden, Hierasp., 306. They labour (after the like fondness of some in antient times) to turn the solidity of Truth, the certainty of History, and the Sacredness of the mystery of Jesus Christ, (God manifested in the flesh) into nothing but Familisticall whimseys, empty notions, and sublimity of nonsense.
1702. C. Mather, Magnalia Christi Americana, II. iv. (1852), 124. There was a time when the suppression of an antinomian and famalistical faction, which extreamly threatned the ruin of our country, was generally thought much owning unto this renowned man [Wintgrop].
b. 1660. R. Coke, Power & Subj., 15. Theological virtues relate to the attaining of Eternal happiness: Moral, Humane, and Familistical, to the conservation of society and peace in their several places.
Hence † Familistically adv.
1653. Baxter, Meth. Peace Consc., 24. [We] put false interpretations on the plainest precepts of Christ … and Familistically turn them into Allegories.
