EXPOSITION OF THE IMAGES.

A woodcut illustration depicts a Pope kneeling in prayer before a tree. A large hand emerges from the clouds, pointing toward the Pope. Behind the Pope stands a flag bearing the keys of Saint Peter, and a fox is shown biting or tearing at the back of his papal robes.

By the hand extended to the tree, the hand of God is denoted. For there was one of the Popes who, performing such penance as he could, confessed his sins before God in this way, and obtained a blessing from God according to his heart. For this reason, his banner is placed behind him, because, receding from all his power and pride, he was turning himself toward God. The fox, however, tearing his cowl from behind, denotes—