{120} The Regent was now sending Lord James, Argyll, and Mr.Gawain Hamilton to treat, when Glencairn and his men marched into Perth.

Argyll and Lord James then promised to join the brethren, if the Regent broke her agreement; Knox and Willock assured their hearers that break it she would--and so the agreement was accepted (May 28).
It was thus necessary for the brethren to allege that the covenant was broken; and it was not easy for Mary to secure order in Perth without taking some step that could be seized on as a breach of her promise; Argyll and Lord James could then desert her for the party of Knox.

The very Band which Argyll and Lord James signed with the Congregation provided that the godly should go on committing the disorders which it was the duty of the Regent to suppress, and they proceeded in that holy course, "breaking down the altars and idols in all places where they came." {121a} "At their whole powers" the Congregations are "to destroy and put away all that does dishonour to God's name"; that is, monasteries and works of sacred art.

They are all to defend each other against "any power whatsoever" that shall trouble them in their pious work.

Argyll and Lord James signed this new Band, with Glencairn, Lord Boyd, and Ochiltree.