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CHAP. VIII.
Of the second, or Christian Religion
of the Laplanders.
Lapland among other Nations, after a long night of Paganism,
was enlightned with the Christian Religion: of which I shall now
speak. In the first place we must enquire how and when they first began to
hear’d of Christs name: but this will be very difficult, because all Writers
are silent herein. Plantin indeed affirms from their report, that they first
hear of the Christian Religion in the last age; from whence he concludes
that they came out of Finland before the Finlanders were converted. But
for all this we can hardly yield our aSsent to him; for it is certain on the
contrary that they knew, and some of them embraced, the Christian Religion
in the time of Ziegler, who lived in the very beginning of the precedent
age, and was present at the destruction of Stockholm by Christiern the
Tyrant, which he hath very well described: he affirms that they admited
Christianity to obtain the favor of their Kings, which cannot be spoken of
Chriftiern, or his immediate Predecessor, but of several others in former
ages. And indeed it is very improbable that so many Christian Kings should
take no care of propagating their Religion among the Laplanders, but
permit them to live in a heathenish impiety, without so much as ever hearing
the name of Christ; especially since there are Letters of Ericus King of
Pomerania extant, wherein he advises the Consistory of Vpsal that they
would send Priests to instruct the Laplanders; which Charles the IX
afterwards made an argument of his title to Lapland against his neighbors.
Besides they had adjoining to them the Birkarli, who were either Finlanders
or Swedes, and were converted long before; with these they maintained a
commerce, and paid them tribute even from the time of Ladulaus Magnus,
who reign’d four ages ago. Therefore it is false what Plantin affirms of
their being converted in the last age; on the contrary I presume that from
the time of Ladulaus, there alwaies were some in Lapland who either were
Christians, or pretended to be so: for then their Country was subdued
and made a Province of Swedland, and it cannot be doubted but the Swedes
propagated the Christian Religion together with their dominion in Lapland.
Tho if our conjecture prove true of the Laplanders removing out of Finland,
by reason of the wars of Ericus Sanctus, and the planting of the Christian
Religion there, it will appear from thence that they heard of Christ, tho
they neglected him. However no prudent man can suppose that their neighbors
the Finlanders for so many ages should never mention any thing of the
Christian Religion to them. And therefore my opinion is the more confirmed
that the Laplanders had heard of Christ ever since Ericus Sanctus
his time, even these five ages, tho they rejecfted his Doctrine, as long as
they retained their own freedom: but after they became subject to the Swedes,
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