a. and sb. Eccl. Hist. Also 6 Flaccian. [f. Flaci-us + -AN.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to Flacius Illyricus, a Protestant divine of the 16th c., who opposed the adiaphorist views advocated by Melanchthon. B. sb. A follower of Flacius Illyricus; an anti-Adiaphorist. Hence Flacianism, the doctrine or principles of Flacius Illyricus and his followers; Flacianist = FLACIAN sb.
1565. T. Stapleton, Fortr. Faith, 146. Thus write the Flaccians and zelous Lutherans.
1619. N. Brent, trans. Sarpi’s The Historie of the Councel of Trent, vi. (1629), 527. Whole Parishes of Lutherans, Zuinglians, Flacians, Anabaptists, and of other Sects which cockle the Prelats haue not been able to weede out.
1847. F. Prandi, trans. Cantù’s Ref. Europe, I. 98. Hence arose the heresy of the Flacians, or substantialists.
1872. O. Shipley, Gloss. Eccl. Terms, s.v. Adiaphoristic Controversy, His [Melanchthon’s] supporters were called Philippists; his opponents, Flacianists.
1882–3. Schaff, Encycl. Relig. Knowl., III. 1827/2. He believed said instrument to be a representation of pure Lutheranism, free from all Flacian extravagances.
