To Ursula Schneiderwein - Martin Luther

TO URSULA SCHNEIDERWEIN

Luther begs her to consent to her son marrying a Wittenbergerin. June 4, 1539.

To the honored and virtuous Frau Ursula Schneiderwein, citizen of Stolberg. Grace and peace in Christ, my gracious good friend! I have already written you concerning your son John, who has fallen in love with an excellent maiden, and I hoped for a favorable answer; but no attention having been paid to your son’s request, I am constrained to write again, for I do not wish him to lose heart and sink into despair. But as he loves the girl so dearly, and she is quite his equal in station, besides being a gentle, quiet creature, I think you ought to be satisfied that he has shown his childlike obedience in humbling himself to ask your consent to the marriage, as Samson did; and now do your part, as a loving mother, by giving your consent thereto. For although we have written that children should not become engaged without their parents’ consent, still parents should not hinder their children from marrying those they love. The son must not bring a daughter to his parents against their will, but the father must not force

a wife upon his son. They must both give way, else the son’s wife becomes the father’s daughter against his will. And who knows what happiness God may grant him through this maiden, a happiness which he might never experience otherwise, because the good damsel, who is in his own position, might in her distress utter an evil (bose ) prayer. In short, I trust you will not withhold your consent any longer, so that the good fellow may be at rest. I could wait no longer for your letter, but thought it my duty to write again. But pray do not tell your son of this letter till all is settled, in case he should become too confident and bold; for, I love him on account of his virtues, and would not wish him to be badly advised. Therefore, do you also act like a mother, and help him out of his martyrdom, so that he may not fall into despair. I herewith commend you to God. Amen. MARTIN LUTHER . (De Wette.)