the Memory of the Christian Faith being first embraced by him among all the Kings of that Nation. He at last dyed in the one and twentieth year of his raign, famous both for his religious and Civill actions. Being dead, he, by the per∣swasion of such Preists as among the Scots admi∣nistred the sacred Mysteries of Christianity, was with Christian ceremonies and solemnity bu∣ried in a feild, which with many pious accu∣stomed Prayers had been consecrated for the buriall of Christians.
2. In this relation made by Boethius, extracted out of ancient Records, the pre∣sent inhabitants of Scotland may observe how great the difference is between the Christianity of the first King who profess'd it in their countrey, and that which they have lately chosen in stead of it. This King refus'd to be buried among his heathen Ancestours, chusing rather to mingle his bones with those of common beleivers, then to have them proudly entomb'd with Heathen Princes. He would not rest after death but in a place consecrated by the De∣votions of holy Preists, who likewise ce∣lebrated his Obsequies according to the Pri∣mitive Christian manner, by making oblations for him, and offring the most Holy Sacrifice for the refreshment of his soule, as S. Cyprian, who liv'd not long after, describes the manner of ancient Christian buriall. The same holy Father likewise, as if he intended not only to justify, but commend this last act of King Donaldus his devotion, among other crimes with which he charges one of his Bishops call'd Mar••ialis, adds this, that he buried his children in the profane Sepulchers of the Heathen. Among other ceremonies pecu∣liar to Christian burialls in those ancient times, this was one, that a Crosse was raised upon their Monuments, as shall be shew'd hereafter.
3. Having thus related the actions and death of this second Christian Prince Do∣naldus, as fully as ancient Records inform us, it will not be amisse to add here a Monu∣ment yet remaining, which in those very days was erected nere the River Calder in Yorkshire by Titus Aurelius a Roman officer: on the one side wherof were inscribed these words, Antoninus and Geta the third time Consuls: and on another was a votive dedi∣cation to the Dui, or God of the Brigantes. Who this God was is uncertain: onely it appears that every Province, and perhaps every city and Town in Brittany had their peculiar De••••y, such an one was Belatuca∣drus, Andates, &c. Now the Roman Supersti∣tion was such, as that they worshipped all the Idols of the Nations conquered by them, and such an one probably was this (Dui, or) God of the Brigantes. Yet considering the late conversion both of the Southern and Northern Brittains, why may not this God of the Brigantes be the only true God wor∣shipped by these New Converts, and honour'd with an Inscription by this unbe∣leiving Roman, as one among the croud of profane Deities superstitiously adored by them?