The Barons, perceiving that the Book of Discipline was refused, presented certain Articles to the Council, requiring idolatry to be suppressed, their churches to be planted with true ministers, and some certain provision to be made for these, according to equity and conscience; for, until that time, the most part of the ministers had lived upon the benevolence of men. Many held in their own hands the fruits that the bishops and others of that sect had formerly abused; and so some part was bestowed upon the ministers. But then the bishops began to grip again at that which most unjustly they called their own; for the Earl of Arran was discharged of St. Andrews and Dunfermline, with which, by virtue of a factory, he had formerly intromitted: and so were many others. Therefore the Barons required that arrangements might be made for their ministers. Otherwise, they would obey the bishops no more, nor would they suffer anything to be taken for their use, more than they did before the Queen's arrival. They verily supposed that the Queen's Majesty would keep promise made to them, not to alter their religion. That could not remain without ministers, and ministers could not live without provision. For these reasons, they heartily desired the Council to provide some convenient order in that respect. [Sidenote: The Council agrees to divide the Patrimony of the Kirk.] The Queen's flatterers were somewhat moved; for the rod of impiety was not then strengthened in her and their hands. So they began to practise; they wished to please the Queen, and yet seem somewhat to satisfy the faithful. In the end, they devised that the Churchmen[190] should have intromission with two parts of their benefices, and that the third part should be lifted by such men as thereto should be appointed for [the necessities concerning the Queen's Majesty, and charges to be borne for the common weal of the realm, and sustentation of the preachers and readers.][191]... [190] That is, the Papists in possession of benefices. [191] Knox here quotes, in full, the Acts passed by the Council.