God says himself, as written we find,

That when the blind leads the blind,

Into the ditch they fall both,

For they see not whereby to go.

So act priests now-a-days;

They be so blind in god's law,

That when they should the people read [teach]

Into sin they do them lead.

Thus they have now done for a long time,

And all is for lack of knowledge.

Wherefore you parish priest,

If you [wish to] please your savior,

If you be not great [learned] clergyman,

Look [study] you must on this work;

For here you might find and read

That which behooves you to know;

How you shall [to] your parish preach,

And what you need them to teach,

And which you must yourself be,

Here also you might it see;

For little is worth your preaching,

If you be of evil living.

Therefore, you certain priests who are dear and familiar unto me before all others … that for the instance and prayers which that you have made unto me for this present work I have here disposed and written after my simpleness of the observance of all saints the which should worshipfully each Sunday be showed unto your people that God may be glorified in your churches by the matters written after, and devotion and knowledge of the people may be the more informed to worshipping and glorifying of him that is almighty … God.