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In the Scriptures we read of some very strong cities, that are now levelled with the dust. But the "city" mentioned in the text is stronger than all the rest. The state of nature may be called the city-of-destruction; and the state of grace, the strong city, or the city of salvation.

I. The NAME of this city. "Salvation." It is a very old name, it has had this name a great many thousands of years; it has never changed its name; it is a durable name; it is an unchangeable name.

II. What KIND of a city it is.

1. It is a large city. It would hold all the inhabitants of the earth for thousands of generations.

2. It is a free city. The Lord Jesus Christ welcomes you to come and live in it.

3. It is a wealthy city. The treasures of free grace are in the city of salvation.

4. It is a healthy city. They breathe good air who live in it. The Physician is the Lord Jesus Christ, who heals every disease.

5. It is a happy city.

6. This city will last foe ever. Where is Babylon? Where is Tyre? Where is Nineveh? Where are the cities of Egypt? Those mighty cities are levelled with the dust, but this city will last through all eternity.

III. The BUILDER of this city. The Lord Jesus Christ. In London there is a constant succession of streets for many miles in length, and the whole was built by man.

IV. Who are the INHABITANTS of this city? They are good men, women, and children.

1. They are called "saints." The word "saint" means a holy person.

2. Another name given to the inhabitants of this city is righteous.

3. Another name is believers.

4. Another name is sons and daughters.

V. The WATCHMEN of the city. There are watchmen placed upon the walls of Zion — parental watchmen, teaching watchmen, and ministerial watchmen.

VI. The GUARDS of the city. Angels guard you while you sleep and while you are awake. They are wise guards; powerful guards; affectionate guards.

VII. The WAY which leads to this city. The road of repentance.

VIII. The WALL of this city. It is so high that no enemy can scale it; it is so strong that no enemy can break or injure it.

IX. The FOUNDATION of this city. The righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

X. The STREETS of this city. There are some very remarkable streets.

1. The high street of Faith. This street runs from one end of the city to the other. In almost every town and city, we find a street of this name — "High Street." But there is no such street, as this high street of faith; it is a very long and beautiful street. It connects the gate of conversion and the gate of Heaven. This high street is frequented by all who live by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. The street of Humility. It lies alongside the high street of faith.

3. The street of Obedience. The inhabitants are very partial to this street. This street is divided into ten parts. The ten parts are the ten commandments. This is a very broad street. "Thy commandments are exceeding broad." It is a remarkably clean street.

4. A fourth street is Worship street.

XI. We may now take a view of the SCHOOLS of the city.

1. Providence.

2. Revelation.

3. Affliction.

4. Experience.

XII. Come and see the PALACES of the city. When anyone gets to London, they want to see the palace of the king. I will show nobler palaces than palaces or earthly Kings. These palaces are ordinances; such as prayer, praise, reading and hearing the Holy Gospel, baptism and the Lord's Supper, meditation and self-examination. Consider the reason why they are called palaces. A palace is a place where the king is to be seen. It is a place where petitions are presented; where the king bestows wealth and great gifts. Here petitions are presented and received; here King Jesus bestows wealth and honour. It is a place for conversing with the king; and here we may converse with Jesus. In a palace grand feasts are held; so in the ordinances noble feasts are provided for souls immortal, where they may eat abundantly of heavenly provisions.

XIII. The ARMOURY of the city. A beautiful piece is hanging up called the helmet — the helmet of salvation. Not far from the helmet is a breastplate — the breastplate of righteousness. Near the breastplate is a girdle or sash, with this inscription — truth. The next piece of armour is a pair of shoes with this name — "preparation of the Gospel of peace." Next is "the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." The shield of faith.

XIV. The GARDEN of the city.

1. The walks in the garden. The walks of meditation and holy fellowship.

2. The fountains. The Lord Jesus Christ is the principal fountain. There is another fountain, called the consolation of the Holy Ghost; the water is delicious. All the inhabitants drink of it.

3. The flowers. There are the flowers of the promises and doctrines; they are odoriferous flowers, and never failing.

4. The trees. The tree of knowledge; not the tree of knowledge which was in Eden, but of knowledge and wisdom. There is not a poisonous tree in the garden. The tree of life, the Lord Jesus Christ, is there — "whose leaves are for the healing of the nations."

XV. The BANK of this city. The name of this bank is written on the door; it is — the covenant of grace. It is so free, all may come and apply; and all who apply, receive. The bank, too, is very rich; and it is free for the poorest sinner. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Proprietor, and He is willing to give to poor sinners as much as they need. This bank cannot fail; it cannot break. Whatever is drawn out during the day, it is as full again at night. It is full of "the unsearchable riches of Christ."

XVI. There is a GATE through which the inhabitants of the city pass, when they enter Heaven. It is the gate of death. There is a valley leading to the gate called the valley of the shadow of death. It is illuminated with the light of the Sun of Righteousness. Pious children pass through that valley, leaning on the arm of Jesus.

(A. Fletcher, D. D.)

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KJV: In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.

WEB: In that day, this song will be sung in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city. God appoints salvation for walls and bulwarks.