CHAP. XVII. Of the Conversion of North and East Finland, and their great Hospitality.
THis, the farthest Country Northward, was formerly seduced by Pagan Su∣perstition, as many Lands neer unto it were also; and so erring from the way of truth, was contumelious against God, and injurious to Neighbors: But after that, two most famous Lights, Ericus King of Sweden, and blessed Henry Arch-Bishop of Ʋpsal, had subdued them by a powerful hand to the Christian Faith, and Kingdome of Sweden, in the Year of Grace, 1155, first offe∣ring them peace, which they despised; and when they had built Temples, and preferred Priests to instruct that people, they became the chief Lovers of all Ver∣tues, but chiefly of Liberality and Hospitality, that the Inhabitants used towards Strangers and Forraigners, with exceeding good-will. They are amongst them∣selves gentle and modest, and slow to anger; and if they be long urged, they make good their slowness by their great revenge. They dwell in Parishes and Villages distinctly. They have built magnificent Churches, and they exceedingly endeavour to build more new ones. They yield chief veneration to their Priests, & pay their Tythes of all things; & they are again instructed by them in the law of God, the Preacher standing upon some high place, as the manner is, that roo∣ting out their former Errours, they may cheerfully, and with a good will fol∣low what is good. The Inhabitants of the West-Bothnia are held to be like these; who wanting Scholastick Discipline, are taught by the Law of Nature to detest Vices, and to embrace Vertues. For they find that such who live uprightly, and hurt none, abound with all goods; and on the contrary, for those detestable Crimes, Fornications, Adulteries, Thefts, Murders committed, Birds and Beasts, have oft-times forsaken the Woods; Fishes, the Waters, and would not come again, until such time as the Divine Majesty offended, was pacified by Prayers and Benedictions of the sacred Clergy.