ition to all deistical scribblers.--_The righteousness of the
perfect shall direct his way; but the wicked shall fall by his own
wickedness_, &c. But to insist no further, I remain as above,

JOHN HOWIE.

LOCHGOIN,
_June_, 1781.

THE INTRODUCTION.

Christianity seems to have made its appearance in Scotland in a very
early period, being, according to some writers, propagated in this
kingdom by the Apostles themselves; some saying that Simon Zelotes,
others that Paul was some time in this part of the world; but as this
opinion is not supported by proper vouchers, it merits only the regard
due to conjecture, not the attention which an undoubted narrative calls
for.

Another, and more probable account, is, that during the persecution
raised by Domitian, (who was the twelfth and last Caesar, about A. D.
96.) some of the disciples of the apostle John fled into our Island, and
there taught the religion of Jesus. It does not seem that Christianity
made any very rapid progress for a considerable time. The first account
of the success of the gospel that can be depended on, is that about A.
D. 203. King Donald I. with his Queen, and several courtiers were
baptized, and continued afterwards to promote the interest of
Christianity, in opposition to Pagan idolatry. But the invasion of the
Emperor Severus soon disturbed this king's measures, so that for the
space of more than seventy years after, religion was on the decline, and
the idolatry of the Druids prevailed; they were an order of Heathen
priests, who performed their rites in groves of oak trees; this was a
species of Paganism of great antiquity, being that kind of idolatry to
which the Jews were often revolting, of which mention is made in the
lives of Ahab, Manasseh, &c. in the books of the kings. These Druids
likewise possessed a considerable share of civil power, being the
ordinary arbitrators in almost all controversies, and highly esteemed by
the people; this made it a very difficult task to establish a religion
so opposite to, and subversive of that institution: but the difficulties
which Christianity has in every age and country had to encounter, have
served its interest, and illustrated the power and grace of its divine
Author. These Druids were expelled by king Cratilinth, about the year
277, who took special care to obliterate every memorial of them; and
from this period we may date the true aera of Christianity in Scotland,
because from this time forw