Letter 9015: It is well with my spirit that the burden of sin that weighed upon your soul has been lifted by divine grace.

From: Ennodius, deacon and literary figure in Pavia To: Stephania [a woman, possibly connected to the monastic or aristocratic world] Date: ~504 AD Context: A spiritual letter of consolation, assuring Stephania that the burden of sin that weighs on her soul has been addressed by God's grace. Ennodius to Stephania. It is well with my spirit that the burden of sin that weighed upon your soul has been lifted by divine grace. The God who wound also heals, and His mercy reaches furthest precisely where the need is greatest. I write to rejoice with you and to urge you forward. The past is behind you; what lies ahead is the life that grace has made possible. Do not look back. Do not carry what has already been forgiven. Walk forward in the light that has been given to you. You have my prayers and my encouragement. Farewell.

XV. ENNODIVS STEPHANIAE. Bene est animo meo, quod grauatum peccati fasce meministis et inter illas sacri pectoris curas, quantum epistolae ad domnum Auienum destinatae manifestant, personae meae non emergit obliuio. deo gratias ago, qui per indebitam delinquentibus clementiam solita miseratione succurrit, dum eos sanctarum animarum intercessione sustentat. non credo, quod inter orationes deseratur quem nobilitatis alloquio. saluto ergo humilitate qua dignum est et rogo, ut illi adsidua orationum donetis suffragia, quem commemorationis pascitis ubertate. XIIII. 2 hilpidio BLPTV diaci B 4 facies B 5 dipares B et me] me esse et B meosquę B & recolere T sit T 7 aecclesiastica B 8 bilpidi PTV, hilpidis B, nhilpidi L 10 cotidiae B adflici B 11 desperem Ph, diaperem BLTV 12 adcepto B filius B 13 anima mea Sirm. 14 praeoalis B cessis B remansis B \'quod quod B 16 ad L.] alliguriam L procnris B XV. 18 stephane L 20 pectoris] peccatoris B 21 destinate BL 25 orationis B 26 qu.a (i eras.) L 27 pascetis B