the more speedily, as
they had been more violent, the town resumed her former countenance in
the space of some few days.

The heads of the people being assembled for the election of a new king,
by common consent pitched on the brother of the king of Bungo, a young
prince, valiant of his person, and born for great atchievements.
Immediately they sent a solemn embassy to that prince, and presented to
him the crown of Amanguchi. The court of Bungo celebrated the election of
the new king with great magnificence, while Xavier was yet residing at
Fucheo. The saint himself rejoiced the more at this promotion, because he
looked, on this wonderful revolution, which was projected by the Bonzas
for the ruin of Christianity, as that which most probably would confirm
it. He was not deceived in his conjectures; and, from the beginning, had
a kind of assurance, that this turn of state would conduce to the
advantage of the faith: for having desired the king of Bungo, that he
would recommend to the prince his brother the estate of Christianity in
Amanguchi, the king performed so fully that request, that the new monarch
promised, on his royal word, to be altogether as favourable to the
Christians as the king his brother.

Xavier had been forty days at Fucheo when the Portuguese merchants were
in a readiness to set sail for China, according to the measures which
they had taken. All necessary preparations being made, he accompanied
them to take his leave of the king of Bungo. That prince told the
merchants, that he envied them the company of the saint; that, in losing
him, he seemed to have lost his father; and that the thought of never
seeing him again, most sensibly afflicted him.

Xavier kissed his hand with a profound reverence, and told him, that he
would return to wait on his majesty as soon as possibly he could; that he
would keep him inviolably in his heart; and that in acknowledgement of
all his favours, he should continually send up his prayers to heaven,
that God would shower on him his celestial blessings.

The king having taken him aside, as to say something in private to him,
Xavier laid hold on that opportunity, and gave him most important counsel
for the salvation of his soul. He advised him above all things to bear in
mind how soon the greatness and pomp of this present life will vanish
away; that life is but short in its own nature; that we scarcely have
begun to live, before death comes on; and if he should not die a