"We, perceiving how Satan in his members, the Antichrists of our time, cruelly doth rage, seeking to down-thring[123] and to destroy the Evangel of Christ and His Congregation, ought, according to our bounden duty, to strive in our Master's cause, even unto the death, being certain of the victory in Him. The which our duty being well considered, we do promise before the Majesty of God, and His Congregation, that we, by His grace, shall with all diligence continually apply our whole power, substance, and our very lives to maintain, set forward, and establish the most blessed Word of God and His Congregation; and shall labour at our possibility to have faithful ministers purely and truly to minister Christ's Evangel and Sacraments to His people. We shall maintain them, nourish them, and defend them, the whole Congregation of Christ, and every member thereof, at our whole power and wearing of our lives, against Satan, and all wicked power that does intend tyranny or trouble against the foresaid Congregation. Unto the which holy Word and Congregation we do join us, and we do forsake and renounce the congregation of Satan, with all the superstitious abomination and idolatry thereof: And moreover, we shall declare ourselves manifestly enemies thereto, by this our faithful promise before God, testified to His Congregation by our subscription of these presents:--At Edinburgh, the third day of December, the year of God 1557: God called to witness. "A. ERLE OF ERGYLE. "GLENCARNE. "MORTON. "ARCHIBALD LORD OF LORNE. "JOHNNE ERSKYNE OF DOUN." _Et cetera._ [123] Overthrow. [Sidenote: The first Heads for the Government of the Reformed Kirk.] Immediately after the subscription of this foresaid Bond, the Lords and Barons professing Christ Jesus convened frequently in counsel; when these Heads were concluded:-- First, it is thought expedient, devised, and ordained, that in all parishes of this realm the common prayers be read, weekly on Sunday, and on the other festival days, publicly in the parish kirks, with the lessons of the New and Old Testament, conform to the order of the Book of Common Prayers: and, if the curates of the parishes be qualified, to cause them to read the same; and, if they be not, or if they refuse, that the most qualified in the parish use and read the same. Secondly, it is thought necessary that doctrine, preaching, and interpretation of Scriptures be had and used privately in quiet houses, without great conventions of the people thereto, until afterwards God move the Prince to grant public preaching by faithful and true ministers. [Sidenote: The Earl of Argyll promotes the Cause of the Reformed Kirk.]