[f. LEGAL + -IST.]
1. Theol. An adherent or advocate of legalism; one who believes in or inclines to the doctrine of justification by works.
1646. E. F[isher], Mod. Divinity, Title-p., Wherein every one may cleerly see how far he … deserveth the name of Legalist.
1651. Baxter, Saints’ R., I. i. § 6 (ed. 2), 8. To make Salvation the end of Duty, is to be a Legalist.
1678. R. Barclay, Apol. Quakers, viii. § 8. 252. There were no difference … betwixt those who are under the Gospel, and meer Legalists.
1826. J. Jay, Chr. Contemplated, III. 78. They were not Antinomians: they were not Legalists.
1860. Trench, Serm. Westm. Abb., xxxii. 370. He is not afraid of being called a legalist, a preacher of good works, instead of a preacher of faith.
1879. Farrar, St. Paul, II. 73. Becoming a Jew to the Jews, a legalist to legalists.
2. A stickler for legality.
1865. Pall Mall Gaz., 19 Dec., 1. They are so far from being disorderly that they are the most prudish of legalists.
3. a. One versed in the law; one who views things from a legal standpoint.
1829. Southey, All for Love, IX. xxii. A sorry legalist were he Who could not in thy boasted plea Detect its fatal flaw.
1838. D. Jerrold, Men Charac., J. Runnymede, ii. Wks. 1864, III. 174. John, however, could not silently assent to the position of the legalist.
1861. Gen. P. Thompson, Audi Alt., III. clxvi. 187. No legalist dares maintain that [etc.].
1897. Fairbairn, Catholicism (1899), 473. The whole attitude was … that of the legalist rather than the moralist.
b. An officer of the law; a bailiff. jocular.
1835. Blackw. Mag., XXXVII. 867. The prostrate legalist … lay motionless.
Hence Legalistic a., of or pertaining to a legalist; characterized by legalism.
1882–3. Schaff, Encycl. Relig. Knowl., III. 1770. Legalistic Jewish Christians.
1894. Thinker, V. 439. Malachi was compelled to raise his voice against the extreme legalistic standpoint.
