Rath regarding the writing of her will; request for extension of support for Andreas Hechel.
In Raupach, Evang. Oesterreich, 1st continuation, p. 81; Moseder, Glaubensbekenntniß, p. 93; in the Quartal- Schrift für ältere Lit. und neuere Lectüre, edited by Canzler and Meißner, III. 2, p. 32; from the original in the Dresden library in De Wette, vol. V, p. 9 f. and in the Erlangen edition, vol. 55, p. 143.
To the honorable, noble woman, Dorothea Jörgerin, widow at Keppach, my favorable wives and good friend.
Grace and peace in Christ. Honorable, dear wife! He has spoken to me about how you want to make a will for the benefit of your daughters; but the sons do not want to allow this, because the daughters have previously forgiven both their father's and mother's wills, and have asked for good advice. So I think, if you could raise it with the sons with kindness, so that they would grant it, then it would have its course; but if this cannot be, and the daughters have previously handed over such things, then it cannot weigh down your conscience, where you cannot bring back what they have forgiven. Therefore do not be troubled in this.
In addition, he asked Andres to write to you and to ask you to complete the good deed done to him until Easter and to keep this little time in the studio. In this you will know how to be kind and Christian. Hiemit GOtt befohlen sammt allen den Euren. My house honor, Mrs. Käthe, sends you friendly greetings. At Wittenberg, Monday after St. Jacob's [July 31] 1536.
Martinus Luther, D.
No. 2264.