Letter 3012: God's gifts are doubled for those who hope, and heavenly grace overflows with a twofold blessing.

From: Ennodius, deacon and literary figure in Pavia To: Stephen, abbot Date: ~502 AD Context: A beautifully ornate letter to Abbot Stephen, using the extended metaphor of flowing water to describe the gifts of God and the paradoxical way that divine refreshment increases rather than satiates thirst — Ennodius at his most literary and theological. Ennodius to Abbot Stephen. God's gifts are doubled for those who hope, and heavenly grace overflows with a twofold blessing. The stream of celestial gifts runs in broad channels. The waters that flow from Christ surpass the capacity of any vessel that tries to contain them. This is the one spring that knows no drought and renounces every failing — supplying to its currents as much as the thirsty heart deserves to receive. And consider what hidden sweetness it pours in: the water kindles fire, and the living stream, in an ardent soul, creates a thirst where there was none. Such is the nature of your letters: the satisfaction they bring to longing only generates more longing. Their depth is both drunk and desired. They enrich with a pure flood, yet beneath that flood they kindle an invisible fire. I see in them both flames and cups — a diversity of nature joined in an unlikely harmony. My lord, may God grant you a long life on this earth as an example of the most blessed existence, and through the philosophy of holy religion may you seek your hopes not only in this life but in the life to come. Farewell.

XII. ENNODIVS ABBATI STEPHANO. Geminantur dei dona sperantibus et duplici exuberat gratia , superna beneficio: largis meatibus caelestium munerum unda procurrit: transeunt haurientis ambitum quae a Christo ueniunt fluenta donorum. sola uena est quae maciem nescit et defectus abiurat, tantum cursibus suis suggerens quantum meretur pectus sitientis accipere. cui aduertite quid occultus sapor infundat, quando ardorem limpha conciliat et siccitatem labiis aestuante animo inriguitas uiui fluminis gignit. talis est uestrarum ratio litterarum, quae quantam afferunt desideriis satietatem tanta pariunt et augmenta, quarum profunditas et bibitur et optatur, et ita puro ditant gurgite, ut occulto ab eis uiscera subfundantur incendio. in quibus cognatas uideo flammas et pocula et diuersitatem naturae in peregrinam coisse concordiam. domine mi, longum terris deo nostro tribuente uitae beatissimae exemplum praesta et per religionis sanctae philosophiam non in hac tantum uita sperandum esse contemptu saeculi praesentis ostende.