15. Wherefore, if that which is seen cannot be hoped for, it is not well to read as some do, ‘for[182] because any one sees a thing he also hopes for it;’ unless it may be understood thus, ‘for that which any one sees, why does he also hope for or expect it?’ For most true it is that we hope for that which we see not, and therefore, although it seem to be absent from us, we still look for it in patience; _I waited patiently for the Lord, and He inclined unto me_. And we wait patiently, because _the Lord is good unto them that wait for Him_. And it seems to agree with this, that through patience He has given it back to us. We wait for the things which we hope for, but see not. For he does much who hopes and looks for those things which are not seen, and endures because he directs his mind to that which is. Sidenote: Rom. viii. 24. Sidenote: S. John i. 26. Sidenote: 1 Cor. ii. 9. 16. Now it is well said that _hope that is seen is not hope_, referring to the power and honour and riches of this world. You may see a man distinguished by his retinue and equipages, but he has not hope in his equipages which are seen. Nor is hope in the firmament of heaven, but in the Lord of heaven. The Chaldæan has not hope in the stars which he watches; nor the rich man in his possessions or the avaricious man in usury; but he hath hope who places his hope in Him Whom he sees not, that is, in the Lord Jesus, Who stands in the midst of us, yet is not seen. Finally, _eye hath not seen, nor ear heard the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him_. LETTER XXXVI. S. AMBROSE continues, in reply to a question of Horontianus, his discussion of the passage of S. Paul, and explains what are his ‘groanings unutterable.’ AMBROSE TO HORONTIANUS. 1. OUR letters are so linked together that we seem to be holding actual conversation with one another, so well do you with your question and I with my explanations supply subject matter for our correspondence. Sidenote: Rom. viii. 26. Sidenote: Ps. xxvii. 9. 2. You have intimated your doubt of what spirit it is said that he _maketh intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered_. Let us then refer to what has gone before, that the passage may make plain what we are seeking. _Likewise_, it is said, _the Spirit helpeth our infirmities_. Does it not seem to you that this is the Holy Spirit, for He is our Helper, as He to Whom it is said, _Thou hast been my succour, leave me not neither forsake me, O God of my salvation_? Sidenote: S. Luke xi. 1. Sidenote: 1 Cor. xiv. 15. Sidenote: Ps. cxliii. 10. Sidenote: 1 Cor. xii. 7. Sidenote: S. Matt. vi. 33.