Luther advised him not to speed up his remarriage too much.
Handwritten in Aurifaber, Vol. III, p. 404. Printed in Schütze, Vol. I, p. 260 and in De Wette, Vol. V, p. 556.
Grace and peace in the Lord! In no way, my dear Jonas, do I want your marriage or anything convenient to you to be hindered, but rather, in the highest way, that you be advised in the best way. I have only written of postponement because of the evil mouths of spiteful people and those who turn our examples to the worst. Although these spitefulnesses do no harm, it is burdensome to suffer them constantly and without cause, as Cato teaches the children. If then thou feelest that thou hast such fortitude, that after the deed thou canst esteem the plotting and spitefulness of all devils and others on every side as nothing, go up confidently in the name of the Lord, and take no heed of the delay, despairing rather of it, that the mouth of men may be stopped up, and a sudden favor obtained. I do not think that you should be concerned about our prince; he was very gracious in remembering you when we spoke of you orally the other day. But I wish that dll at the same time, as much as it is possible, less hatred and gossip among all people on you hesitate, even among the adversaries. If this cannot be, also does not fit to your affairs, then let it happen what will, in the
4) Instead of construet we have assumed cumulet.
5) The signature, which is offered to us by Burkhardt: T. Martinus Luther f. d. is highly suspicious, because it is found nowhere else. We assume: T. Martinus Lutherus. d.
Letters from the year 1543. no. 3012. 3013. 3014.
No. 3013.