[637] The course of the Whigs, meanwhile, was simple and consistent.

Their doctrine was that the foundation of our government was a contract expressed on one side by the oath of allegiance, and on the other by the coronation oath, and that the duties imposed by this contract were mutual.

They held that a sovereign who grossly abused his power might lawfully be withstood and dethroned by his people.

That James had grossly abused his power was not disputed; and the whole Whig party was ready to pronounce that he had forfeited it.

Whether the Prince of Wales was supposititious, was a point not worth discussing.