Luther opposes the withdrawal of the nuns from the Nimpschen convent and speaks out about the jurisdiction by which delinquent clergy should be punished.
The original is in Dessau. Handwritten in Cod. Jen. a, fol. 262 and at Wolfenbüttel in Cod. HeImst. 107. Printed by Buddeus, p. 241 and by De Wette, vol. IV, p. 580. German by Walch, vol. XXI, 1256.
To the worthy man, Magister Georg Spalatin, servant of the Word and now true bishop of the churches in Meissen, his brother.
Grace and peace in Christ! I like, my dear Spalatin, what you write that the nuns at Nimpschen2 ) want to take off their monastic habit (nonnismum). But nevertheless they may see to it when they seek to leave the convent, which they do (for I, who have received many nuns, even at great expense, have experienced enough what they must suffer outside from their relatives and brothers), so that they do not regret leaving. Then I do not advise them to be full of confidence. Although the prince would pay them a rich gift when they go out, they would not be able to live on it for long if they were uncertain about the place [where they can go] and a permanent provision. Therefore, if they do not know or hope for husbands for themselves, I do not advise them to leave. With regard to the aged, there is no doubt that it is best for them to remain in the monastery.
As for the punishment of the servants of the Church, I consider that the jurisdiction of the visitators, of each one in his district, is sufficient, unless there is a public offense worthy of death, which must be judged with the sword, as murder, sedition, arson, adultery 2c. The rest may be decided by the visitators
1) De Wette has this letter under December 25, 1534, because he did not understand incarnationis as annuntiationis (like Luckckous and Walch), but erroneously as nativitatis (see Burkhardt, p. 222 and Seidemann in De Wette, vol. VI, p. 619, note 1).
2) Walch explains Nimicenses by "Zu Niemeck", De Wette by "Nimptsch", both are incorrect.
punish them, either by removing them from office or in some other way, as we have done up to now. Furthermore, if it pleases you to make the parishes empty in three years, then hand them over to such a secular jurisdiction, that is, the lambs to the wolves. For the peasants, burghers, nobles have by nature a hatred for the parish priests. And besides, the pastors are obliged to punish them by word, that is, to insult them; now enemies will be their judges. Who will remain, or at what hour will not each one accuse his pastor, since they already plague their pastors enough, both the peasants and the burghers as well as the nobles, so that the latter rather need a shepherd (pastore) than the latter a secular judge. The Lord be with you, Aulen. On the day of the Incarnation of the Son of God [March 25] 1534.
Martin L., Doctor.
No. 2045.