Luther counsels patience in the abolition of common women's shelters.
From Cod. chart. 398. f. Goth. in Seidemann-DeWette, vol. VI, p.417, without any time determination, and (likewise) in the Erlangen edition, vol. 56, p. LXIX. From a copy in the archive at Zerbst, with the above date, in Kolde, Analecta, p. 391. We give the text according to Kolde, in which alone Melanchthon's concern, written in Latin, is found.
Opinion D. Mart. Luth. about the abdication of the common women's house in Halle.
So it seems to me that until the gospel is more firmly rooted and the weeds are rooted out, we must be patient with this matter for a little while longer, so that we do not do too much harm to the good by rooting out the evil in an untimely manner; for there is still (I say) great heathenism among the Christians. But as soon as one can do this, it must be done in earnest. However, the preachers should preach fiercely against it, so that your honorable council will be prepared the way and cause to control such paganism 2) more effectively. Given in 1543, September 13.
Opinion of Mr. Phil. Melanthon on the same matter.
I do not defend fornication and do not write this opinion of mine as a doctrine. And I wish that in the cities there was such discipline and restraint of the people, that the fornicators would not have been allowed places. But because we live among pagans, I have admonished the teachers of the gospel to teach their congregations duly that fornication is to be fled. That is enough for a preacher. Another office is to decide on the expulsion of notorious persons. There the authorities may see to it that they counsel both the heathen and others.
1) "would like" is missing from Kolde.
2) Kolde: "passion".
No. 3045.
September 14, 1543.