THE APOSTOLICAL METHOD OF PREACHING

THE GOSPEL.

A SERMON,

PREACHED

AT THE ANNUAL MEETING

OF THE

Northern Education Society,

AUGUST 31st, 1814.

BY

JOHN BIRT.

HULL:

PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR;

AND SOLD BY

LONGMAN & Co.; GALE &. Co.; WILLIAMS & SON; BUTTON & SON,

LONDON:

And all other BOOKSELLERS.

1814.

TO THE

PRESIDENT, OFFICERS, AND MEMBERS,

OF THE

NORTHERN EDUCATION SOCIETY;

This Sermon,

PREACHED AT THEIR ANNUAL MEETING,

AND PUBLISHED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THEIR REQUEST,

IS MOST RESPECTFULLY PRESENTED

BY

The Author.

THE APOSTOLICAL METHOD OF PREACHING

THE GOSPEL.

A SERMON,

&c.

II. COR. III. 12. "SEEING THEN THAT WE HAVE SUCH HOPE, WE USE GREAT PLAINNESS OF SPEECH."

WHEN required by this Society to

prepare an Address for the present occasion, my thoughts were naturally directed to the circumstances of those young men, who, with a view to the ministry of the Gospel, are pursuing their studies, under its patronage, and who receive the instruction of my honoured friend the pastor of this church and congregation. Having to address myself chiefly to them, and seeking for a subject congenial with their taste and pursuits, it occurred to me that none would be more so, than the best method of preaching; and that no pattern could be exhibited more worthy of their regard, than the practice of the Apostles. It is inconceivable that any preachers of the Gospel could possess superior qualifications, and we know that

B