The private meetings that are in any wise deemed and denounced _illegal_, are such, and such only, as are seditious, and composed of seditious persons; who associate, indeed under a pretence of religion, but in reality to plot against the state. The sooner any that can be convicted of this, are made to forsake the assembling themselves together, the better; and though composed of a threefold, three hundred fold, nay a three thousand fold cord, no matter if, like the cords wherewith the _Philistines_ bound _Sampson_, they were immediately broken. But as nothing of this nature can with the least shadow of truth be objected against the meetings and societies frequented by these students, but quite the contrary urged in their favour; if scripture and the practice of the primitive christians are to be our guides, they ought not only to be permitted, but be countenanced and encouraged by every true lover of our church and nation.
And supposing, that in any such religious society one of them should venture now and then to drop a word of exhortation, or even attempt in a small degree to open, expound, or enlarge upon some practical text of scripture, how can even this be looked upon as illegal, much less sinful, or worthy of expulsion? when, I could almost say, it is a necessary preparation for the future service of the sanctuary. To be “apt to teach,” is one indispensable qualification required by scripture in a Bishop and Presbyter. But how can this aptness or an habit of teaching be acquired, without the exercise of previous acts? Or what business is there in the world, even from the lowest mechanic, to the highest profession amongst us, (except that of divinity) wherein pupils, clerks, nay common apprentices, are not by previous exercises trained up for a complete proficiency in their respective callings and occupations?
Our all-wise Master, we know, sent his Disciples on short excursions, before he gave them the more extensive commission to go into all the world: and were our students in general, under proper limitations, to be thus exercised and employed, while they are keeping terms at the university, or among their poor neighbours in the country, when they return home in time of vacation, they would not turn out such meer novices, or make such awkward figures, as too many raw creatures do, when they make their first appearance in the pulpit. I remember, above thirty years ago, after some young students had been visiting the sick and imprisoned, and had been giving a word of exhortation in a private house, that upon meeting the ordinary and minister of the parish in their return to college, they frankly told him what they had been doing; upon which, he turned to them, and said, “GOD bless you; I wish we had more such young curates.” A milder, and therefore a more _christian sentence_ this, than that of a late expulsion for the very same supposed crimes and misdemeanors.
As for the reports of these young students being accused or condemned, for barely being acquainted with, or the occasional visitors of some of the most laborious, pains-taking, worthy parish-ministers in _England_, it is almost altogether incredible. And yet the standers-by, as well as the supposed culprits themselves, we are informed, aver this to be real matter of fact: attended with this melancholy aggravation, that they were hissed at, pushed about, and treated in a manner that the vilest criminal is not allowed to be treated, either at the _Old-Baily_, or any court of justice in the kingdom. We are likewise told, that a copy of their indictment was asked for, but denied them; and not only so, but that one, from whose polite behaviour in the worldly walk, better things might have been expected, was heard to say, as he came out of chapel, to their grand accuser, after sentence of expulsion was pronounced, that “he would have the thanks of the whole university for that day’s work.”
Pudet hæc opprobria nobis Et dici potuisse, et non potuisse refelli.
What thanks, reverend Sir, he may meet with from the whole university, I know not; but one thing I know, that he will receive no thanks for that day’s work from the innumerable company of angels, the general assembly of the first-born, which are written in heaven, or from GOD the judge of all, in that day when JESUS, the Mediator of the new covenant shall come in his own glory, in the glory of the Father, and his holy angels, and gather in his elect from all the four corners of the world.