notionists

Updated: May 25, 2025

An almost indefinite number of such religious bodies arose during the middle years of the seventeenth century Millenarians or Fifth Monarchy Men, Baptists or Anabaptists, Quakers, Ranters, Notionists, Familists, Perfectists, and others. Of these the Quakers are the most interesting in their relations to the New World.

Edward Potts Cheyney - American Nation: a history — Volume 1: European Background of American History, 1300-1600

Then the next thing that he is grieved with, is, because I said, there are none but a company of light notionists, ranters, with here and there a legalist, that was shaking in their principles, that were carried away by the Quakers, &c. And whereas thou sayest I am like the Pharisees, who said, none believe, but a company of poor people, which know not the law. Answ.

John Bunyan - Works of John Bunyan — Volume 02

And indeed if you mark it, you shall see, that they be such kind of people, who at this day are so carried away with the quakers' delusions; namely, a company of loose ranters, and light notionists, with here and there a legalist, which were shaking in their principles from time to time, sometimes on this religion, sometimes on that.

John Bunyan - Works of John Bunyan — Volume 02

A few who appeared to have thought on this solemn subject, without any change of conduct, are called by Bunyan 'light notionists, with here and there a legalist, or those who relied upon a creed without the fruits of righteousness, and some of these imbibed notions of the strangest kind that the light within was all-sufficient, without any written revelation of the will of God that the account of Christ's personal appearance on earth was a myth, to represent his residence in the persons of believers, in whom he suffers, is crucified, buried, and raised again to spiritual life that such persons might do whatever their inclinations led them to, without incurring guilt or sin; in short, many sinned that grace might abound!! Some of them professed to be the Almighty God manifest in the flesh.

John Bunyan - Works of John Bunyan — Volume 01

Then there are the naturopaths, physicultopaths, gymnastopaths, hygienists, raw food advocates, and a thousand and one other notionists, who give advice as to what, when, and how you shall eat. Horace Fletcher insists that food be chewed until it is liquid; another authority says, "Bosh!" to this and asks you to look at the dog who bolts his meat and is still healthy, vigorous and strong.

George Wharton James - Quit Your Worrying!