Letter 7015: Thanks be to God, whose generosity toward Your Greatness has exceeded what mere human merit could claim.

Thanks be to God, who although he has delayed the desires of Your Greatness, has not repelled them. For lest the faith of the suppliant falter, desires are deferred, because a swift attainment diminishes the charm of the gladness to follow. And you indeed have manifestly merited your honors, not merely wished for them. But the preceding polish of speech expresses the desires of those who love you. The Almighty has known, moved by the light of your birth and invited by the confidence of the grace you promised: whatever you restrain by discipline or reason has preceded you in your prosperity. Let these terse words at the threshold suffice: respond to one who is anxious about your prosperity, though not doubtful of your love. My lord, paying the duties of fullest greeting, I commend the bearer of the letter, because he is known to me for his fidelity and honor, wishing that it not be concealed from all how much of your condescension I possess, so that those who hope may be fed from the harvest of our common grace.

XV. ENNODIVS AGNELLO. Deo gratias, qui circa magnitudinem uestram licet protulerit cupita, non reppulit. etenim ne fides claudicet supplicantis, desideria differuntur, quia deuenustat secuturae hilaritatis genium uelox impetratio. et uos quidem honores meruisse, non optasse manifestum est. sed praecedens concinnatio eloquitur uota diligentum. nouit omnipotens et generis uestri luce permotus et gratiae quam polliciti estis inuitatus fiducia: praecessit in prosperis uestris quicquid uos disciplina aut ratione cohibetis. sufficiant in foribus stricta conloquia: respondete de prosperitate uestra sollicito, quamuis de amore non dubio. domine mi, salutationis plenissimae obsequia dependens litterarum portitorem commendo, quia mihi fide et honestate conpertus est, uolens uniuersis quid dignationis uestrae habeam non taceri, ut sperantes de communis gratiae messe pascantur. 3 Prou. 27, 2 1 sis] se Bb 2 monimentis (ni ex nu corr.) L 3 lauden L 4 nelim B2b, uellim Bl domino Tb 5 praesbitero B 6 mi scripsi, mihi BLTVb 7 aepistolae B 8 depraecans B 9 ũquã L, nquam B XV. 13 uestram magnitudinem T 14 repulit BT, reppullit L 16 meruiesS & optasse L 17 manifestum L man in ras. minoribus litteris 18 diligentium LTV 19 estis] est B praecessi B, praeceasit V 21 cohebetis Bb strieta ex scripta B respondente Bb 23 mihi BLVb 24 fede B 26 communi T