The Estates of England had brought two charges against James, his misgovernment and his flight, and had, by using the soft word "Abdication," evaded, with some sacrifice of verbal precision, the question whether subjects may lawfully depose a bad prince.

That question the Estates of Scotland could not evade.

They could not pretend that James had deserted his post.

For he had never, since he came to the throne, resided in Scotland.

During many years that kingdom had been ruled by sovereigns who dwelt in another land.