salt." (Coloss. iv. 6.) The perfection of our Lord's con- duct appears on this, as on all other occasions. He always said the right thing, at the right time, and in the right way. He never forgot for a moment, who He was, and where He was.
The example of Christ in this passage deserves the dose attention of all Christians, and specially of ministers of the Gospel. It throws strong light on some most difficult points, — our intercourse with unconverted people, — ^the extent to which we should carry it, — the manner in which we should behave when we are with them. Our Iiord has left us a pattern for our conduct in this chapter. It will be our wisdom to endeavour to walk in His steps.
We ought not to withdraw entirely from all intercourse with unconverted people. It would be cowardice and in- dolence to do so, even if it were possible. It would shut us out from many opportunities of doing good. But we ought to go into their society moderately, watchfully, and prayerfully, and with a firm resolution to carry our Master and our Master's business with us. The house from which Christ is deliberately excluded, is not the house at which Christians ought to receive hospitalities, and keep up intimacy. — ^The extent to which we should carry our intercourse with the unconverted, is a point which each believer must settle for himself. Some can go much further than others in this direction, with advantage to their company, and without injury to them- selves. " Every man hath his proper gift." (1 Cor. vii. 7.) There are two questions which we should often put to ourselves, in reference to this subject. ''Do I, in company, spend all my time in light and worldly conversation ?—