The present state of Denmark. By Guy Miege, author of the New cosmography, or survey of the whole world.

Of the DANES.

And first of their Origine, Complexion, Lan∣guage, Manners, and Religion.

SOme Men are so fond of Antiquity, that they care not how fabulous they make their Pedigree, if it be but far-fetched. Ac∣cordingly some Danes have endeavoured to make the World believe, that they were so called from Dan, a supposed King who reign∣ed in these Parts above 1000 years before the Birth of our Saviour. And who should this King Dan come from, but from Dan the Son of Jacob? For my part, I should rather think it more probable, that the Danes took their Name from Sinus Codanus, the ancient name of the Baltick, their neighbouring Sea.

However they were so called, certain it is that the first Inhabitants of Denmark, and chiefly of Jutland, were the Cimbri, from whom that Peninsule was called Cimbrica Chersonesus. Which Cimbri, says Heylin, were originally descended from Gomer, the Son of Japhet; thence called Gomerii and Cim∣merii,

by Contraction Cimbri. Leaving the Plains of Phrygia, as too narrow for them, they sought out new Dwellings; and are said to have first dwelt on the Banks of Palus Mae∣otis, where they gave name to the Bosphorus Cimmerius. Being overcome by the Scythi∣ans, they removed their Seats more North∣ward, and came at last to this Peninsule. Where being grown perhaps too populous for so small a Country, they resolved to seek for another, with the Sword in their hands. Receiving, as they did, as many as would joyn with them, they swelled to such a num∣ber, that Plutarch says their Army consisted of 300 thousand fighting Men, besides Wo∣men and Children, which exceeded that num∣ber. They forced their way through Ger∣many and France, to pass over into Italy. The Romans sent Armies to prevent their coming, which were beaten by the Cimbri. Manlius, Sillanus, and Caepio, all Roman Consuls, perished by them. And actum esset, says Florus, de Imperio Romano, nisi illi saeculo Marius contigisset, there had been an end of the Roman Empire if Marius had not stood for it. Who, not willing to venture on the Enemy united, and lately fleshed in the Overthrow of Manlius and Caepio, permitted them quietly to pass by his Camp. So that the Barbarians, who imputed it to fear or cowardize, scornfully ask'd his Souldiers,

What Service they would command them to Rome. But Marius soon after stopped them in their Career, when for their easier Passage over the Alps, they had divided themselves into three several Bodies. Then, falling upon them severally, he destroy'd them all. They were a People of extraordinary big Stature, having blew and red Eyes, and living so up∣on Theft that for their sakes the Germans called all Thieves Cimbers.

These Cimbri having left their Peninsule, the Saxons, Jutes, and Angles, took Possessi∣on of it. And, upon the Removal of these into Britain, the greatest part of it was peo∣pled by the Danes, who dwelt in the Islands.

The Danes in general are of a good Sta∣ture, clear of Complexion, well coloured, for the most part healthful, and long lived. Their Language is but a Dialect of the Ger∣man Tongue. From which it does however so differ, that the Danes and Germans cannot understand one another, unless they do first converse some time together. As to their Inclinations, they do not vary much therein from the Swedes and Germans. Only they are look'd upon to be more crafty than the latter, and more ambitious than the former. The Women are fair, courteous, and good Houswives, fruitful in bearing of Children, and yet delivered of them with great diffi∣culty.

For Men of Learning they have had Tyche Brahe, that renowned Astronomer; Hemingi∣us, a well known Divine; Bartholinus, a Phy∣sician and Philosopher of very good esteem; John Cluverus, the Historian, &c. For great Captains, Gotricus or Godfrey, who setled the Government of this Kingdom, and indan∣gered the great Monarchy of France; Sueno and Canute, the fortunate Conquerours of England; Waldemar III. a right valiant Prince, but unsuccessful in his Wars against the Hanse-Towns; Christiern II. a great Com∣mander, but a cruel Prince; Christiern IV. little inferiour to many of his Predecessors. Amongst whom we may list Queen Margaret, the Semiramis of these Northern Countries; a Lady of a Masculine Spirit, no less fortu∣nate than daring in her Enterprises.

This Nation was converted to the Christi∣an Faith in the time of King Harold, about 650 years ago. Till then it cannot be said that the Christian Religion was rooted here, though I read of some Christian Kings before this, as Eric and Froto, both living in the ninth Century. Neither was the Gospel so well fix'd in Harold's time, but that the Danes relapsed still for the most part to their ancient Heathenism; till they were finally regained by Pope Adrian the Fourth, an Englishman. In process of time the Popes of Rome would needs pretend some Power and Jurisdiction

over them. Which when they began to ex∣ercise with too much Authority, King Wal∣demar III. (the Father of Queen Margaret) is said to have return'd this Answer, Naturam habemus à Deo, Regnum à Subditis, Divitias à Parentibus, Religionem à Romanâ Ecclesiâ; quam si nobis invides, renuntiamus per Praesentes. That is to say, We hold our Life from God, our Crown from our Subjects, our Riches from our Ancestors, our Religion from the Church of Rome; which Religion, if you envy us, we do here remit it by these Presents. But this Renunciation, though then threatned, was not made till afterwards. King Frede∣rick I. was he that abolished the whole Mass of Popery, using therein the Ministry of Bu∣genhage, a Divine of Pomeren, by whom the Danes were reformed according to the Doctrine of the Lutheran Churches. And ever since they have continued in that state of Reformation, wherein the Church of Den∣mark differs not much from the Church of England. For, as they have rejected several Errors and Abuses of the Church of Rome, so they have still retained a settled and pre∣scribed Liturgy for all their Churches, most of the Holy-days observed in the former Ages, the Cross in Baptism, Kneeling at the Communion, and many other practicable Ceremonies transmitted to us from the Pri∣mitive Church.

The main Point, wherein they differ as Lutherans from all other Protestants, is the Article of Consubstantiation, whereby they believe that in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper the Elements of Bread and Wine remain in Substance with the real Body and Blood of our Saviour after the Consecration.