August 23, 1527.
Grace and peace in Christ, dear Lord and friend. I have heard your letter concerning Hans B., and this is my answer to your request: If the same Hans B. does not know nor is able, as he indicates, to maintain his household without a wife, I do not know and cannot prevent or forbid him to take another wife. Also consider that he is well excused before God, because his previous wife willingly took another wife.
She divorced him and renounced him eternally, so that she is justly dead and he himself is to be judged free of her. But where she would not have consented so completely, it would be a different matter. For otherwise everywhere so much willfulness is done in matrimonial matters that it is not easy to concede so much aggravation. Hereby commanded by God. Wittenberg in Vigilia Bartholomaei (the day before Bartholomew) 1527.