About a matrimonial matter.
Handwritten at Wolfenbüttel in Cod. Gud. From the Börner collection in Leipzig in Schütze, Vol. II, p. 325 and in De Wette, Vol. IV, p. 565.
Grace and peace in Christ! I have so advised this man, the priest, my dear Leonhard, that you, or a priest who is even closer to him, marry this abandoned woman, but nevertheless the judicial form must be observed beforehand, namely that at the door of your church or that of a closer neighbor, as I have said, Matthes is summoned before you by a note in your name to give the deceived woman an answer within fifteen days. When this time has expired, and he has not turned himself in, declare him publicly a forfeiter and the woman free, according to the testimony of these two letters. And so may she be married to the priest in the name of the Lord. Farewell. I write very seldom, because I cannot do what I want, and you do not need it. Pray for me. On Monday after the Sunday of Advent [Nov. 30] 1534.
Your Martin Luther.
No. 2090.