December 14, 1523.
Grace and peace, honorable one, dear Virgin Hanna. I have received your writing and, as you wish. I will diligently promote your marriage, both begun and promised, both with Mr. S. von K. and others, so that it will proceed with grace and joy. God knows that, as much as I care, I would promote many lesser things most willingly to anyone, if I were capable of doing so.
And do not hear reluctantly that you aspire to the marriage state. But such things I can
in absence judge neither one way nor the other. For since it concerns more than one man, God has forbidden to judge on one part's request; for in this, like yourselves, I do not respect nobility or ignobility. One man is worth another, if they have only desire and love together, so that the enemy may not deceive them.
Should therefore have no doubt, where it comes to it that I am there or am asked for it, the best wants to talk and Fug
and glimpf everywhere help. Because I feel that you have a desire for it, it should be unbroken and unhindered for my sake, where no one else is harmed by it. But see to it that you also seek God's blessing, that not vain fervor of love, but
I wish to be gracious to you with your dear paramour, amen. At Wittenberg, Monday after Lucia, Anno 1523.
Martinus Luther.