, do
urge us to that point." Sir Edward Coke on this occasion made a
memorable speech, of which the following passage is not given in
Rushworth:--

"We sit now in parliament, and therefore must take his _majesty's
word no otherwise than in a parliamentary way_; that is, of a matter
agreed on by both houses--his majesty sitting on his throne in his
robes, with his crown on his head, and sceptre in his hand, and in
full parliament; and his royal assent being entered upon record, _in
perpetuam rei memoriam_. This was _the royal word of a king in
parliament_, and not a word delivered in a chamber, and out of the
mouth of a secretary at the second hand; therefore I motion, that the
House of Commons, _more majorum_, should draw up a petition, _de
droict_, to his majesty; which, being confirmed by both houses, and
assented unto by his majesty, will be as firm an act as any. Not that
I distrust the king, but that I cannot take his trust but in a
parliamentary way."[311]

In this speech of Sir Edward Coke we find the first mention, in the
legal style, of the ever-memorable "Petition of Right," which two days
after was finished. The reader must pursue its history among the writers
of opposite parties.

On Tuesday, June 5, a royal message announced that on the 11th the
present sessions would close. This utterly disconcerted the commons.
Religious men considered it as a judicial visitation for the sins of the
people; others raged with suppressed feelings; they counted up all the
disasters which had of late occurred, all which were charged to one man:
they knew not, at a moment so urgent, when all their liberties seemed
at stake, whether the commons should fly to the lords, or to the king.
Sir John Eliot said, that as they intended to furnish his majesty with
money, it was proper that he should give them time to supply him with
counsel: he was renewing his old attacks on the duke, when he was
suddenly interrupted by the Speaker, who, starting from the chair,
declared that he was commanded not to suffer him to proceed; Eliot sat
down in sullen silence. On Wednesday, Sir Edward Coke broke the ice of
debate. "That man," said he of the duke, "is the grievance of
grievances! As for going to the lords," he added, "that is not _via
regia_; our liberties are impeached--it is our concern!"

On Thursday, the vehement cry of Coke against Buckingham was followed
up; as, says a letter-writer, when one