[Footnote 209: STÖLZEL, _op. cit._, 10, 11.] [Footnote 210: SCHULTE, _Lehrbuch_, 416.] [Footnote 211: STÖLZEL, _op. cit._, 11-19, where the proof is given from the writings of Luther and others; and DIETRICH, _Evang. Ehescheidungsrecht_, 37 ff. See STRAMPFF, 363-65, 353, 375.] The seeds from which would eventually spring a new public jurisdiction in matrimonial causes were nevertheless in this way planted by Luther. For a time the practice was uncertain and informal. Cases were taken before various officials or bodies, with the prince or sovereign as final authority. The _Pfarrer_ or parish priest, who is especially commended by Luther[212] for such business, was often called in; and on hard questions opinions were solicited from jurists and theologians, those of Luther having all the weight of the decisions of a court of last resort. As a result, during this early period jurisdiction came more and more into the hands of the church. Only gradually, following the example of Wittenberg in 1539, were consistorial courts[213] created under sanction of the civil power; and these bodies were composed of both lay and ecclesiastical members.[214] [Footnote 212: LUTHER, _Von Ehesachen_: in STRAMPFF, 297, 298, 392, where he names _Pfarrer_ and _Oberkeit_ as co-ordinate authorities in such causes. On the significance of _Oberkeit_ (temporal magistracy) see STÖLZEL, _Entwicklung des gelehrten Richterthums_, I, 207 ff.; and compare _idem_, _Ueber das landesherrl. Ehescheidungsrecht_, 22, 23.] [Footnote 213: On the rise of the Wittenberg consistory and its influence as a model for others see MEJER, "Anfänge des Witt. Consistoriums," _ZKR._, XIII, 28-123; and _idem_, "Zur Geschichte des ält. prot. Eherechts," _ibid._, XVI, 35-106. These two papers, revised and enlarged, with a chapter on the establishment of the consistory at Rostock, may also be found in MEJER'S _Zum Kirchenrechte des Reformationsjahrhunderts_, 3 ff., 146 ff. Compare SCHLEUSNER, "Zu den Anfängen prot. Eherechts," _ZKG._, VI, 390 ff., 412 ff.; GEFFCKEN, "Zur ält. Geschichte und ehegericht. Praxis des Leipzig. Konst.," _ZKR._, 3. Folge, IV, 7-67; HINSCHIUS, "Beiträge zur Gesch. des Desertionsprocesses nach evang. Kirchenrechte," _ibid._, II, 1-38; and DIETRICH, _Evang. Ehescheidungsrecht_, 37-62, who gives a clear account of the development of matrimonial process and jurisdiction.]