under pain of death. This drove them entirely
into Ireland and the western isles of Denmark and Norway, excepting a
few ecclesiastics, who wandered about from place to place. This bloody
battle was fought about the year 380, at the water of Dunne in Carrick.

After an exile of 44, or according to Buchanan, 27 years which the Scots
endured, the Picts became sensible of their mistake, in assisting the
Romans against them, and accordingly strengthened the hands of the few
who remained, and invited the fugitives back into their own land. These
were joined by some foreigners, and returned with Fergus II. (then in
Denmark) upon their head, their enterprise was the more successful, that
at this time many of the Roman forces were called home. Their king was
crowned with the usual rites in his own country, and the news of his
success drew great numbers to him, in so much that he recovered all the
country out of which the Scots had been expelled: most of the foreign
forces returned home, except the Irish, who possessed the country of
Galloway for their reward. This successful undertaking happened about
the year 404, or as others would have it, 420.

The Culdees were now recalled out of all their lurking places, restored
to their livings, and had their churches repaired; at this time they
possessed the peoples esteem to a higher degree than ever: but this
tranquility was again interrupted by a more formidable enemy than
before. The Pelagian heresy had now gained considerable ground in
Britain, it is so called from Pelagius a Monk at Rome; its chief
articles are, 1. That original sin is not inherent. 2. That faith is a
thing natural. 3. That good works done by our own strength, of our own
free-will, are agreeable to the law of God, and worthy of
heaven.--Whether all, or only part of these errors then infected the
Scottish church, is uncertain; but Celestine, then bishop of Rome,
embraced this opportunity to send Palladius among them, who, joining
with the orthodox of south Britain, restored peace to that part of the
church, by suppressing the heresy. Eugenius the second, being desirous
that this church should likewise be purged of the impure leaven, invited
Palladius hither, who obtaining liberty from Celestine, and being
enjoined to introduce the hierarchy as opportunity should offer, came
into Scotland, and succeeded so effectually in his commission, as both
to confute Pelagianism and new-model the government of the church.

T