A panacea

(Thomas Watson, "The Ten Commandments")

The Scripture is a golden epistle, written by
the Holy Spirit—and sent to us from heaven!

The Scripture is a spiritual looking-glass, to dress
our souls by. It shows us heart-sins, vain thoughts,
unbelief, etc. It not only shows us our spots—but 
washes them away!

The Scripture is an armory, out of which we may
fetch spiritual artillery to fight against Satan. When
our Savior was tempted by the devil, He fetched
armor and weapons from Scripture: "It is written!"

The Scripture is a panacea, or universal medicine
for the soul. It gives a remedy to cure deadness of
heart, Psalm 119:50; pride, 1 Pet 5:5; and infidelity,
John 3:36. It is a garden of remedies, where we may
gather an herb or antidote, to expel the poison of sin!

The Scripture is "the only standard of conduct."
It is the only rule by which we are to square our
lives. It contains in it:
  all things needful to salvation;
  what duties we are to do;
  what sins we are to avoid.

"When your words came, I ate them; they were my
joy and my heart's delight!" Jer. 15:16. All true solid
comfort is fetched out of the Word. The Word is a
spiritual garden, and the promises are the fragrant
flowers or spices in this garden. How should we
delight to walk among these beds of spices!

The Scripture is a sovereign elixir, or comfort,
in an hour of distress. "Your promise revives me;
it comforts me in all my troubles!" Psalm 119:50.

If we would have the Scripture effectual, let us
labor not only to have the light of it in our heads;
but its power in our hearts! 

"I have hidden your Word in my heart, that I might
not sin against you." Psalm 119:11. The Word, locked
up in the heart—is a preservative against sin. As one
would carry an antidote with him when he comes near
an infected place—so David carried the Word in his
heart as a sacred antidote to preserve him from
the infection of sin.

When we read the holy Scriptures—let us look up to
God for a blessing. Let us pray that God would not
only give us His Word as a rule of holiness—but His
grace as a principle of holiness! It is said, that the
alchemist can draw oil out of iron. God's Spirit can
produce grace in the most obdurate heart!