naturian

plural naturians

1. historicalobsoleteOne who studies nature; one who ascribes natural rather than supernatural or divine explanations to phenomena.

   There is no judgment comes, but naturians will find out other causes for it than God.

   1633, T. Adams, Exp. 2 Peter, ii. 5

   3 more examples

   […] noteth in that place. Amongst Philosophers Aristotle was wise, profound; Plato humane, diuine; Pythagoras hot, precise; and all sound exquisite naturians. Amongst Diuines, Saint Augustine plaine; Saint Gregerie mild; […]

   1602, W. Watson, Decacordon, 358, quoted in part in the NED and in full in 1974, David McGregor Rogers, English Recusant Literature, 1558-1640

   Great ... aduantages hath a Christian by virtue of his Faith, aboue any Natunan or Politique by all his reason.

   1621, S. Ward, Life of Faith, section 83

   They were described as 'naturians', often 'mere' or 'sole' naturians. 'The disease incident to your profession', one preacher told physicians, is 'even to be half Atheists, and that by ascribing so much to natural and second causes, and too little to God'.

   2019, Alec Ryrie, Unbelievers: An Emotional History of Doubt, Harvard University Press, →ISBN