d search out
by the ancient Fathers, he shall find, that the same was not
ordained but of a good purpose, and for a great advancement of
godliness. For they so ordered the matter, that all the whole
Bible (or the greatest part thereof) should be read over once
every year; intending thereby, that the Clergy, and especially
such as were Ministers in the congregation, should (by often
reading, and meditation in God's word) be stirred up to godliness
themselves, and be more able to exhort others by wholesome
doctrine, and to confute them that were adversaries to the
truth; and further, that the people (by daily hearing of holy
Scripture read in the Church) might continually profit more and
more in the knowledge of God, and be the more inflamed with the
love of his true Religion.

But these many years passed, this godly and decent order of the
ancient Fathers hath been so altered, broken, and neglected, by
planting in uncertain Stories, and Legends, with multitude of
Responds, Verses, vain Repetitions, Commemorations, and Synodals;
that commonly when any Book of the Bible was begun, after three
or four Chapters were read out, all the rest were unread. And
in this sort the Book of Isaiah was begun in _Advent_, and the
Book of Genesis in _Septuagesima_; but they were only begun, and
never read through: After like sort were other Books of holy
Scripture used. And moreover, whereas St Paul would have such
language spoken to the people in the Church, as they might
understand, and have profit by hearing the same; The Service in
this Church of England these many years hath been read in Latin
to the people, which they understand not; so that they have heard
with their ears only, and their heart, spirit, and mind, have not
been edified thereby. And furthermore, notwithstanding that the
ancient Fathers have divided the Psalms into seven Portions,
whereof every one was called a _Nocturn:_ Now of late time a
few of them have been daily said, and the rest utterly omitted.
Moreover, the number and hardness of the Rules called the _Pie_,
and the manifold changings of the Service, was the cause, that to
turn the Book only was so hard and intricate a matter, that many
times there was more business to find out what should be read,
than to read it when it was found out.

These inconveniences therefore considered, here is set forth such
an Order, whereby the same shall be redressed. And for a readiness
in this matter, here is drawn out a K