Christian Prudence.
I. We Christians were never meant to be remiss and insensible; Christ came to redeem and renew us in every legitimate faculty and every salutary use of it. It was never intended that the world should go onward in improvement and the Church should stand still. The redemption of Jesus Christ was wrought to comprehend man's whole nature and man's whole history; there is no lawful advance of mankind, no wholesome invention, which the Church may not include in its instruments for God's glory, and by neglecting which it does not lose space and power for its work, no symptom of the state of men's minds and of society which it ought not to turn to account for its high purposes.
II. We need to walk circumspectly both in belief and in practice. We have nothing to lose, but everything to gain, by more search, more light, more intelligence, surer ground. Every new discovery, every new good argument, will serve, not damage, Christ and His work. Here, then, let us walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Lament not, stand not aloof from, the questioning, searching spirit of the age; but take it and use it for good. In practice also we need many a circumspect walking as to both the good and the bad habits and influences around us. There are better things in life than being rich, than being powerful, than being notable. Measure thyself, not by thy wishes, but by thy graces; not by thine ambition, but by thy capacities. Strive to do what thou canst do well, and to serve when thou canst serve with a pure conscience; but aim not at duties which thou canst/never thoroughly perform, and at offices which thou canst not satisfactorily fill. If we are walking circumspectly, can we avoid hearing such voices as these sounding about us? If we are not fools, but wise, shall we not admit them to a place in our counsels and in the formation of our plans in life?
H. Alford, Quebec Chapel Sermons,vol. v., p. 136.
References: Ephesians 5:15. H. J. Wilmot-Buxton, The Life of Duty,vol. ii., p. 172; Church of England Pulpit,vol. xxi., p. 25; F. W. Farrar, In the Days of thy Youth,p. 110; J. Vaughan, Fifty Sermons,2nd series, p. 203.Ephesians 5:15; Ephesians 5:16. J. H. Evans, Thursday Penny Pulpit,vol. x., p. 353.