Having seen the rise and Original of the _Laplanders_, we come now to speak more distinctly of them, but first of their Religion; not only what is now, but also what was before Christianity came to be receiv’d there. For there were _Laplanders_, or at least some Inhabitants of _Lapland_ before the Christian Religion was introduced: such as the _Finni_, _Lappofinni_, _Scridfinni_, or _Biarmi_, as is above said; but it was very long before the _Laplanders_ properly so called embraced the Christian Religion. At first there is no doubt they were Pagans, as all the Northern Nations were, but being all Pagans were not of the same Religion, it may be enquired which the _Laplanders_ profest. And I suppose it could be no other then that of the _Finlanders_, from whom they derive their original, and consequently their Religion too. But what the Religion of the _Finlanders_ was is very uncertain, since we have no account of the ancient affairs of that Nation. Therefore we must make our conjectures from the _Biarmi_, and _Scridfinni_, as also from some remains among the _Finlanders_ and _Laplanders_. We have already prov’d the _Biarmi_ to be the first Colony that the _Finlanders_ sent into _Lapland_, of whom this is chiefly recorded in ancient Monuments, that they worship’d a certain God whom they called _Jumala_: which _Jumala_ or _Jomala_ is manifestly a different word from what is mentioned in the History of _St. Olaus_ King of _Norway_, and of _Herrodus_, for they relate it as peculiar to the _Biarmi_, and unknown to themselves; who being either _Goths_, _Norwegians_ or _Islanders_, it cannot possibly be any old _Gothic_ word, but of some other Country, and therefore most probably of _Finland_, where it is now in use. For _God_, which is by the _Swedes_, _Goths_, and all of the same original termed _Gott_, or _Gudh_, is by them called _Jumala_; custom without doubt prevailing that the same name, whereby in ancient times they called the false God, was translated to the true One, both by the _Finlanders_, the _Biarmi_ and the _Laplanders_ also who came out of _Finland_, and being joined with the _Biarmi_ made one Nation. Besides _Jumala_, it seems the _Laplanders_ had a God whom the _Swedes_ call _Thor_, which may be gathered, not only because they worship one _Thor_ at this present among their idols, as shall be shewn hereafter, but also because in the number of Gods which the old _Finlanders_, especially the _Tavasti_ adored, there was reckoned _Turrisas_, the God of War and Victory, which was no other then _Thor_. This _Turrisas_ is put in one word for _Turris-As_ (i. e.) _Turris_, _Turrus_, or _Torus_ (for so his name is diversly written) the Prince of the _Ases_, or _Asiatics_, for those who in former times came out of _Asia_ into these parts were called _Ases_, of whom this _Turrus_ was the first, who from that time was worshipped by the _Finlanders_ by the name of _Turrisas_; which may farther be proved from _Arngrinus