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CHAP. IX.
Of some remains of Paganism in Lapland
at this time.
By the present State of Religion in Lapland, it cannot be doubted
but all possible means were used by their pious Kings and Priests,
for the extirpating of superstition and its evil consequences: nevertheless
there remain some reliques thereof to employ their farther care and
endeavour, many gross errours prevailing among them, which renders the
reality of their conversion suspicious, as if they were still in love with the
erroneous opinions of their Ancestors, especially some, of the Norwegian
Laplanders, whose Idolatry sufficiently demonstrates that all their
pretences to Christianity are but fictitious. But tho it were impiety to believe
this of all, since experience shews us the contrary; yet it cannot be
denied, but that many of them profess Christianity rather out of
dissimulation then any real affection. One chief reason why they so stifly adhere to
their superstition and impiety, proceeds from the miscarriage of their
Priests, who either take no care of instructing the Peopbe, or vilify their
doctrine by the sordidness of their lives; whilst under a pretence of
propagating the Gospell, they endeavor only to advance their own revennues.
This the Laplanders, before none of the richest, could not bare; to see
themselves opprest and disabled by the exactions of the Priests. The truth of
this Olaus Magnus strives to confute, calling it an impious and false
assertion, but he brings nothing to prove the truth of what he saies, nor
answers Ziegler, by telling a fair story, of the industry and liberality of
some in the Southern parts: and particularly that his brother Joannes came
to the utmost border of Jemptia, and gave a large Alms to the poor people
there, and at his own great charge set up a Salt-work. A farther cause of
the little improvement of Christianity, is the vastness of the Country, some
of the Inhabitants living above 200 miles from the Christian Churches.
But tho this cause is now in some degree removed by having Churches more
frequently, yet that inconvenience still remains; because they are yet very
far distant, particularly in Lapponia Luhlensis, as we have already mentioned.
There are other causes of this unhappy effect, which more particularly
reflect upon the Natives. As their strong inclination to superstition, which
hath bin formerly mentioned, and the occasions thereof intimated. To this
we may add the high estimation they have of their Predecessors, whom they
think more wise then to have bin ignorant of what God they ought to adore,
or the manner of his worlhip: wherefore out of reverence to them they will
not recede from their opinions, least they should seem to reprove them of
ignorance or impiety. Lastly, this happens upon the account of inveterate
Custom, which at all times is hardly forgot, especially where it prevails
as a Law. This is it that darkens their understanding, and renders it
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