3. For what other Spirit could teach Paul how to pray? The Spirit of Christ, like Christ Himself, teaches His disciples to pray, for who could teach us, after Christ, but His Spirit, Whom He sent to teach us, and to direct our prayers, _for we pray with the Spirit and we pray with the understanding also_. That the understanding may pray well, the Spirit goes before and _leads it forth into the right way_, so as to prevent carnal things, or what either falls below or exceeds its strength, from secretly stealing over it. _For the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal._ It is written also, Seek great things, and small things shall be added unto you; seek heavenly things, and earthly things shall be added unto you. Sidenote: 1 Cor. xii. 11. Sidenote: S. Matt. xxvi. 41. 4. Wherefore He wishes us to seek greater things, not to linger upon earth. And He knows what to bestow upon us, _dividing unto every man severally as He will_. Sometimes, knowing our capacity, which we are ignorant of, He says to us, _Ye cannot receive it now_. I ask for myself the sufferings of martyrdom, _the_ Holy _Spirit is willing_, but sees the weakness of my flesh, and lest, while I seek for greater things I should lose what is less, says to me, ‘Thou canst not bear this.’ What opportunities have I not had and yet when near the goal I have been held back[183]. The good ♦physician knows what food is suitable to each disease, and to each season, for the benefit of health. Sometimes food seasonably taken restores health; but if a man eat food unseasonably or of an improper kind, it is dangerous to him. Sidenote: Jer. iv. 19. Sidenote: Ps. xxxviii. 9. Sidenote: 1 Chron. xxi. 17. 5. Therefore since we know not what to pray for, nor how to pray, the Holy Spirit prays for us; for He is the Spirit of Jesus our Advocate, and He prays with groans unutterable, for Christ also mourns for us. And God the Father says, _My bowels, My bowels, I am pained at the very heart_. We often read too of Him as being indignant and grieved. He groans to take away our sins, and to teach us to do penance. For there are pious groans, and of prevailing power with God, whereof the Prophet speaks, _And my groaning is not hid from Thee_. For he did not hide himself, like Adam, but said, Behold I am the shepherd, _but these sheep, what have they done? it is I that have sinned, let Thine hand be on me_. Sidenote: 2 Cor. xii. 4. Sidenote: Rom. viii. 27. Sidenote: Ib.