Now, tis found among Historians, that Contestations about Precedence of Session and Superiority, with other Formalities, Complements, Visits and Ceremonies, have bin very fatal to Christendom And tis observd also that the various Dignities in the Church hath multipli∣ed them: The great Clash twixt Rome and Constanti∣nople, (twixt St. Non opis est nostrae- Therfore he refers it to the Discerning Reader, who is left free, and evry way unsubornd to pass his Iudgment accordingly, in mesuring evry King by the merit of his own Resons, which are here fairly and faithfully exhibited and those of France and Spain exactly drawn out of their own Authors, having not omitted any that hath any weight. And indeed ther was never any binding Determination made therof, but where Decisi∣ons have bin made, the Princes upon new occasions have excepted or protested against them: Therfore the Author here doth not presume to determine the Question positively and definitively en dernier ressort for. And we find that they who write too peremptorily thereof, have done it with more of∣fence then satisfaction. We well know what a ticklish and tremendous Task it is to treat of Kings, who have power of Life and Death Ther must be as much Caution as Care usd therin It is as perilous as it is painful: It is as walking upon the Ridg of a high House, or dancing upon a Rope, where unless one be well counterpoizd, he is in danger to break his Neck Especially a task of this high nature, that treats of Regal Precedence.
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