He sees, like Ezekiel, sitting on the Cherubim (Ezekiel 10): He sees, like Daniel, thousands of thousands, and thousands of thousands (Dan. 7:10). And the little man sees the beginning of the world and the end of the world, and the middle of times, and the succession of kings, he knows what he did not understand before: for the true Enlightener is with him. Inside the walls is a man, but the power of knowledge extends far away, and he sees even the deeds of others.

7. Peter was not with Ananias and Sapphira when they sold their possessions, but he was there in spirit. Why, he says, will Satan fill thy heart with lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3)? There was no accuser, no witness. How did he know what had happened? Is not that which is yours? And what is sold is not in your power? What hast thou put this thing in thy heart (4)? The unlearned Peter learned by the grace of the Spirit what the Greek wise men did not understand.

Thou knowest the same thing of Elisse: for when he healed Naaman's leprosy for nothing, Gehazi took payment, as a reward for the labor of others: and he took money from Naaman, and hid it in a dark place; But darkness is not dark for the saints. For as soon as he came, Elisha asked him; and how does Peter say: "O Lord, if I have given up a village on it" (Acts 5:8)? Thus also this one testeth: whence come, Gehazi (2 Kings 5:25)?

Not because he did not know whence he came, but out of sorrow he said, "From where?" Thou hast come from darkness, and into darkness thou shalt go. Thou hast sold healing to the leper, and thou shalt receive in return his leprosy. I have fulfilled, he says, the command of Him who said to me, Thou shalt receive it, thou shalt give it to me; but you, having sold this gift, accept the leprosy, which was an occasion for sale. What then did Elisha say to him? And is my heart walking with thee (26)?

Though I was here in body, yet the Spirit given to me by God saw what was distant, and showed me clearly what was happening elsewhere. Do you see that the Holy Spirit not only leads out of ignorance, but also communicates knowledge? Do you see how he enlightens souls?

18. Isaiah for almost a thousand years saw Zion as a tabernacle, while this city still stood, was adorned with marketplaces, and was in glory, and another prophet said, "Zion, as the field shall be prooted" (Micah 3:12); predicting what has now come to pass in our presence. Notice, then, the accuracy of the prophecy; it says: "The daughter of Zion shall be left as a tabernacle in the vineyard, and as a storehouse of vegetables in the vineyard" (Isaiah 1:8).

Now in these places there are almost cucumber ridges everywhere. Do you see how the Holy Spirit enlightens the saints? Therefore, see that instead of Him, because of the similarity of the name, you do not receive another spirit, but try to find exact signs.

19. If, while you are sitting, the thought of purity or virginity comes to you, then this is the teaching of the Holy Spirit. Do we not often see that a virgin, having already been at the marriage bed, fled from it, having been taught virginity by Him? Do we not often see how the glorious courtier despised wealth and dignity, being taught by the Holy Spirit? Do we not often see that a young man, seeing bodily beauty, shifted his eyes, withdrew so as not to see it, and thus avoided defilement?

You want to know from what this happened: the Holy Spirit taught the soul of the young man. There are so many flattering benefits in the world, but Christians have nothing. From what? By the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Truly an invaluable gift, the Holy and Good Spirit. Righteously we are baptized into the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Man, while still in the flesh, confronts many of the most ferocious unclean spirits.

And often the unclean spirit, whom many could not humble with iron chains, was humbled by the prayer of the one in whom dwelt the power of the Holy Spirit: and the breath of the conjurer alone is fire to these invisible enemies. Thus, we have a great Champion and Intercessor from God, a great Teacher of the Church, a great Protector. Let us not be afraid of evil spirits, nor of the devil himself: for our Defender is greater; only let us open the doors to Him.

For He goes about everywhere, looking for those who are worthy, seeking to communicate His gifts to someone.

20. But He is called the Comforter because He comforts, exhorts, and alleviates our infirmity. For what we pray for, as befits us, we do not know: but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings unutterable (Romans 8:26), it is obvious that before God. It often happens that someone suffers unjust anger and dishonor for Christ: a martyr's feat comes, torments come from everywhere, and fire, and swords, and beasts, and the abyss.

But the Holy Spirit inspires, saying: "Be patient with the Lord" (Psalm 26:14), man! it does not matter what happens to you, but the gifts are great: if you do not labor here for long, you will live forever with the Angels. Unworthy of the passion of the present time for the glory that desires to be manifested in us (Romans 8:18). He depicts the kingdom of heaven to man, and shows him the paradise of sweetness; and the martyrs, of necessity, standing before the judgments in person, in the body, by the power of the Spirit, already in paradise, despised the cruelties they saw.

21. And do you want to know that by the power of the Holy Spirit the martyrs perform the feat of martyrdom? Do not worry about how or what you say, or what you say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that hour that befits the prayer (Luke 12:11, 12). For it is impossible to perform a martyr's feat for Christ, if one does not perform it with the help of the Holy Spirit.