They saw their title to every privilege, if not plainly denied, yet considered at least as precarious.

It might be fortified by abuse; and they had already abused it.

They thought proper, therefore, immediately to oppose pretension to pretension.

They framed a protestation, in which they repeated all their former claims for freedom of speech, and an unbounded authority to interpose with their advice and counsel.

And they asserted, "That the liberties, franchises, privileges, and jurisdictions of parliament, are the ancient and undoubted birthright and inheritance of the subjects of England."[***] The king, informed of these increasing heats and jealousies in the house, hurried to town.