Luther’s mind gradually underwent a change. He now secretly resolved to marry Catharine, who had already, as we shall see below, expressed a tender feeling towards him. An intimation of his purpose we have in a letter to his relative, Dr. John Ruhl, of May 4, 1525: “If I can manage to spite the devil, I will marry Catharine before I die if I hear that my enemies continue their reproaches.” From this it is evident that he would not have married, at least at this time, if the clamor of his enemies, the fear and weakness of his friends, and various other circumstances, had not determined him to take the step. The generous and public declaration of John the Constant[6] in favor of the Reformation, as well as his own opposition to the celibacy of the clergy, and the desire of gratifying the long-expressed wish of his father, hastened the consummation of his design. “Thus,” says he, “I could no longer deny this last act of obedience to my dear father, who earnestly entreated me to marry.” Besides this, he wished to set an example to others around him, for many whom he advised to marry had reproached him for writing against monastic celibacy and yet not practising his own doctrine. In the meantime, he wrote frequently to his friends on this subject, and what gratified him much in the prospect of his marriage was the chagrin it would occasion the Romish party, and subsequent experience proved that he was not disappointed in his hopes. Anxious as he was to consummate the event, yet his choice of Catharine was not precipitate. It was only after he was assured of the superlative excellence of her character that he offered her his hand. She conducted herself in her lowly circumstances with such a reserved and womanly dignity that he thought her to be somewhat prudish and proud, and it was only after a more intimate acquaintance that he perceived her numerous good qualities. “If I had felt a disposition to marry thirteen years ago,” says he, “I would have preferred Eva Schönfield, who is now the wife of Dr. Basilius. I did not love my Catharine at that time, for I suspected her of being proud. But it has pleased God otherwise, and, blessed be His name, all things have turned out well, for I have a pious, faithful wife, as Solomon says, Prov. 31; 11, my heart doth safely trust in her, and she contributes so much to my content and manages my affairs so prudently, _that I have no need of spoil_, that is, I have no temptation to envy the wealth of others or to prey upon my neighbors.” Nor was she, on her part, in a hurry about giving her consent, but she deliberated long. Though she was poor, yet she followed the inclination of her heart.