On the first head of this subject, I would just observe, the blessedness of being early called by the grace of God, can never be fully appreciated in this world. We read of some who were called at a very early period: Jeremiah was really sanctified from the womb: John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Ghost in the womb; which shews the possibility of a work of grace in the souls of those who die in infancy, as they are in general, if not _all_, influenced by the Holy Spirit before their departure, and are passively the subjects of Regeneration. What a consolation for a parent bereaved of a _lovely babe_!—It appears Joseph was early taught of God; perhaps the first martyr, Abel, was—it is very clear Obadiah, Josiah, David, and Solomon, were early converted. Samuel and Timothy knew the Saviour at a very early period—the Lord was their guide from their youth. This saves a person from many a bitter pang,—many a sigh, many a tear, many a deep, black, sad reflection of parents, broken hearts, violated sabbaths, a despised gospel, a ruined pocket, and constitution. To be sure grace shines very bright in the calling of such; but you and I must say, we are greater debtors to preserving grace. I rejoice your mind was so early imprest with the power of godliness, and that you was directed under a sound ministry, which clearly pointed out the way of salvation, by free grace alone; for the labour of some foolish preachers wearieth every one, because they know not how to go to the city. But this is not the youth in the text, they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed—the seed of God; the seed that was to serve the Lord, called the seed of Jacob; for these the Redeemer entered into a covenant with his Father—for these he travailed in spirit, groaned, cried, obeyed, bled, and died. Hence the promise, _He shall see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied_. This is begun in our conversion, and will be accomplished in our final glorification. Hence the Psalmist says, _As arrows in the hand of the mighty so are the children of thy youth_. And the matter of the covenant between the Father and the Son, is thus exhibited—_Thy people shall be willing __in the day of thy power_, _in the beauties of holiness_. _From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth_—which beautiful passage Mr. Hervey translates, and paraphrases thus: “As the morning is the mother of dews; produces them, as it were, from a prolific womb; and scatters them with the most lavish abundance, over all the surface of the earth: _So shall thy seed be_, O thou everlasting Father! By the preaching of thy word, shall such an innumerable race of regenerate children be born to thee, and fill all lands. Millions, millions of willing converts, shall _croud_ into thy family, and _replenish_ thy church; till they become like the stars of Heaven, or the sands of the sea, for multitude; or even as _numberless_, as these fine _spangles_, which now cover the face of nature.”