Another Appointment is patched up: 28th May 1559.
With the Earl of Glencairn came our loving brother John Willock; John Knox was in the town already. These two went to the Earl of Argyll and Prior, and accused them of disloyalty, in that they had defrauded their brethren of their dutiful support and comfort in time of their greatest necessity. They both answered that their heart was constant with their brethren, and that they would defend the cause to the uttermost of their power. But because they had promised to labour for concord and to assist the Queen should we refuse reasonable offers, conscience and honour did not permit them to do less than be faithful in their promise made. Therefore, they required that the brethren might be persuaded to consent to that reasonable appointment; promising, in God's presence, that, if the Queen did break in any jot thereof, they, with their whole powers, would assist and co-operate with their brethren in all times to come. This promise made, the preachers appeased the multitude, and ultimately secured the consent of all men to the appointment foresaid; although they did not obtain this without great labour. And no wonder, for many foresaw the danger to follow; yea, the preachers themselves, in open sermon, did affirm plainly that they were assuredly persuaded that the Queen did not mean to act in good faith. But, to stop the mouth of the adversary, who unjustly accused us of rebellion, they most earnestly required all men to approve the appointment, and so to suffer hypocrisy to disclose itself. The appointment was concluded on the twenty-eighth of May, and on the day following the Congregation departed from Perth....
The Lords and the Congregation make a fresh Covenant.
Before the Lords departed they made this bond:—
"At Perth, the last day of May, the year of God 1559, the Congregations of the West country, with the Congregations of Fife, Perth, Dundee, Angus, Mearns, and Montrose, being convened in the town of Perth, in the name of Jesus Christ, for forthsetting of His glory; understanding nothing more necessary for the same than to keep a constant amity, unity, and fellowship together, according as they are commanded by God, are confederate, and become bound and obliged, in the presence of God, to concur and assist together in doing all things required by God in His Scripture, that may be to His glory: and with their whole power to destroy, and put away all things that do dishonour to His name, so that God may be truly and purely worshipped. And in case any trouble is intended against the said Congregation, or any part or member thereof, the whole Congregation shall concur, assist, and convene together, to the defence of the Congregation or person troubled; and shall not spare labours, goods, substance, bodies, and lives, in maintaining the liberty of the whole Congregation, and every member thereof, against whatsoever power shall intend the said trouble, for the cause of religion or any other cause dependent thereupon, or laid to their charge under pretence thereof, although it happen to be coloured with any other outward cause. In witnessing and testimony of this, the whole Congregations foresaid have ordained and appointed the Noblemen and persons underwritten to subscribe these presents.
| "Arch. Argyle. | Glencairn. |
| James Stewart. | R. Lord Boyd. |
| Matthew Campbell of Thringland. | Ochiltree." |
The Regent enters Perth, and at once breaks Faith with the Congregation.
On the twenty-ninth of May the Queen, the Duke, Monsieur D'Oysel, and the Frenchmen entered Perth.... The swarm of Papists that entered with her began at once to make provision for their Mass.... The Queen began to rage against all godly and honest men; their houses were oppressed by the Frenchmen; the lawful magistrates, Provost as well as Bailies, were unjustly and irregularly deposed from their authority. A wicked man, void of God's fear, and destitute of all virtue, the Laird of Kinfauns, was intrused by her as Provost of the town.... She gave order that four ensenyes[134] of the soldiers should abide in the town, to maintain idolatry and to resist the Congregation. Honest and indifferent men asked why she did so manifestly violate her promise. She answered that she was bound to keep no promise to heretics; and, moreover, that she had only promised to leave the town free of French soldiers. This last she said she had done, because those that were left were Scotsmen. When it was reasoned, to the contrary, that all those who took wages of France were accounted French soldiers, she answered, "Princes must not so straitly be bound to keep their promises. Myself," said she, "would make little conscience to take from all that sort their lives and inheritance, if I might do it with as honest an excuse." And then she left the town in extreme bondage, after her ungodly Frenchmen had most cruelly treated the majority of the citizens that remained.
The Earl of Argyll abandons the Regent, and declines to return.