January 27, 1538.
Grace and peace in Christ. Honorable, careful, dear, good friend! Your dear brother, my special good friend, M. Nicolaus Hausmann, has informed me of the serious accident that has befallen your housewife half; which I am truly sorry for, and would like to advise the best, as your brother has asked me, if I knew your opportunity in the world.
But speaking spiritually, you know how God has raised you up to this point and with much
This should not be a good sign, unless a special misfortune strikes you, so that you are humbled and have to learn to recognize God and have him alone for comfort.
According to the papal law, you know that you cannot let her go; and even if you did, you would not be free to take another. But if, according to our doctrine, you should let her go, as they say, it would not be all right whatsoever to let her go.
820 E. SS, 46th; 56,141st 1. To an ungen. as he opposes his beschl. bride etc. W. X, 973-975. 821
You remember, because it appears that God wants to try you with this and test your patience.
Therefore, this would be my advice, where she would keep herself righteous towards you, so that you do not disown her. For she must now continue to humble herself before you forever, and you do no sin in this; nor do you keep her with any burden on your conscience, as he who relies more on mercy than on justice.
I have kept. Otherwise, if you were to follow the strict law, much unhappiness would result, so that you would finally feel heartache or sighing as guilty. For mercy prevails over justice, and strict justice loses mercy, both with God and with men.