before the image of the Virgin, and especially he offered his vows
to her for the conversion of notorious sinners, and also for the
remission of his own offences; as himself testifies in a letter of his,
which shews not less his humility than his confidence in the intercession
of the blessed Virgin: "I have taken the Queen of Heaven for my
patroness, that, by her prayers I may obtain the pardon of my innumerable
sins." He was particularly devoted to her immaculate conception, and made
a vow to defend it to the utmost of his power.

In conversation he frequently spoke of the greatness of the blessed Mary,
and attracted all men to her service. In fine, being just upon the point
of drawing his last breath, he invoked her name with tender words, and
besought her to shew herself his mother.

These are the principal virtues which were collected, to be presented to
the Holy See. The archbishop of Goa, and all the bishops of India,
seconded the designs of the king of Portugal, by acting on their side
with the Pope, for the canonization of Xavier; but no one, in process of
time, solicited with more splendour than the king of Bungo.

This prince, who was upon the point of being converted when Xavier left
Japan, had no sooner lost the holy man, but he was regained by the
Bonzas, and fell into all the disorders of which a Pagan can be capable.
He confessed the Christian law to be the better; but said it was too
rigorous, and that a young prince, as he was, born in the midst of
pleasures, could not brook it. His luxury hindered him not from the love
of arms, nor from being very brave; and he was so fortunate in war, that
he reduced four or five kingdoms under his obedience. In the course of
all his victories, the last words which Father Francis had said to him,
concerning the vanity of the world, and the necessity of baptism, came
into his remembrance: he made serious reflections on them, and was so
deeply moved by them, that one day he appeared in public, with a chaplet
about his neck, as it were to make an open profession of Christianity.

The effects were correspondent to the appearances: he had two idols in
his palace of great value, which he worshipped every day, prostrating
himself before them with his forehead touching the ground; these images
he commanded to be thrown into the sea. After this, applying himself to
the exercises of piety and penitence, he totally renounced his sensual
pleasures, and was finally baptized by F