August 28, 1754

1754 August 28 (Wednesday).  Mr. Martyn and his Wife came and din’d with us, and he came to preach my Lecture which he did though my asking him was but implicit and not direct — but he seems to be reconcil’d — but we act an odd part towards one another — afraid of lisping the least word of our uneasiness.  He preach’d on Gal. 2.20, a very good sermon — May God give his Blessing!  I am much oblig’d to his Wife for her pains to have us reconcil’d.  But my thoughts were much engag’d upon the Situation of the Affair.  Our Conduct is as if nothing had happen’d.  I am concern’d at the Frame we must needs be both of us in, especially as the Communion in their Church as well as ours hastens.  But I have very much discharg’d my Duty, I think, in my last Letter to him: and I am taught by the Word and by the Example of Christ to be free to forgive even innumerable Trespasses: I learn that ‘tis the Glory of a Man to overlook a transgression, and that Charity Covers a Multitude of sins.  As to his making me Satisfaction for such undeserv’d Insults, though I ought to claim it, yet I conceive I had better forego my own personal Right than endanger the Public Peace and the Success of our Ministry — on these Considerations and dreading the grim Mischiefs of our being at Variance, I deny myself and yield the matter of making Demands of him, or shewing any Resentments, Earnestly begging of God Grace, Direction and forgiveness to Each of us.  And O that we might have Fellowship one with another and that the Blood of Christ would Cleanse us from all sin!