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 rejected his Doctrine, as long as they retained their own freedom: but after they became subject to the _Swedes_, whether on their own accord to please their Kings, as _Ziegler_ would have it, or for other reasons, at length they took upon them the name of Christians, which happened in the time of _Ladulaus Magnus_, in the year 1277, from whence we must date the planting of Christian Religion in _Lapland_, which Religion they neither wholy embraced, nor wholy refused, but retained it with an inveterate, and as it were Jewish prejudice, not out of any zeal, or preferring it as more necessary for their welfare before their former Religion; but outwardly only and in shew, esteeming it the best means to gain their Princes favor, and to prevent those evils which threatened them, if they should persist in their obstinacy. Hence it was that they were married by a Christian Priest, and baptised their children according to the ceremonies of Christianity, which were the two chief things wherein their Christian Religion consisted; and the only things mention’d by _Olaus M._ For the use of catechising, or preaching of the Gospel, and other information in the heads of Christian Religion were wholy unknown to them, as may be prov’d from the ancient records of Bishopricks, wherein there is no mention of any _Lapponian_ Diocess, or Church, or of any Diocess to which _Lapland_ might belong. Lastly, if it had not bin so, what need was there of _Ericus_ his express to _Upsal_, that they would send Priests into _Lapland_? this, and whatsoever else _Ziegler_ alledges for the slow advance of Christianity in _Lapland_, _Olaus Magnus_ endevors to evade; but at length is forc’t to confess that the Northern parts thereof are not yet reclaimed, and therefore hopes for their conversion.