eriod) seems to
have been about the beginning of 1638. When it came first to be known
that Traquair was going up to the king, the deputies (afterward called
the covenanters) were desirous that he would carry up an information,
which the lord Balmerino and Mr. Johnston (the only advocates as yet
trusted by the petitioners) had drawn up, and that he would present the
same, with their supplication, to his majesty. But both these were
rejected, and orders given by him to Traquair, to publish a proclamation
at Edinburgh and Stirling, against the requisitions of the covenanters.
Sixteen of the nobles, with many barons, gentlemen, burgesses, and
ministers, did, after hearing said proclamation, cause Mr. Johnston read
a protest against the same. And the same year, when the marquis of
Hamilton caused publish another declaration, in name of the king, the
covenanters, upon hearing it, gave in another protestation in the same
place by Mr. Johnston; whereupon the earl of Cassils, in name of the
nobility, Gibson of Durie, in name of the barons, Fletcher provost of
Dundee, in name of the burgesses, Mr. Kerr minister at Preston, in name
of the church, and Mr. Archibald Johnston, in name of all others, who
adhered to the covenant, took instruments in the hands of three
notaries, and, in all humility, offered a copy of the same to the herald
at the cross of Edinburgh[124].

Upon the 9th of September, a declaration of the same nature being
published, the noblemen, gentlemen, burgesses, &c. gave another
protest, and Mr. Johnston header and advocate for the church, in name of
all who adhered to the confession of faith, and covenant lately renewed
within the kingdom, took instruments in the hands of three notaries
there present, and offered a copy thereof to the herald at the cross of
Edinburgh.

In the same year, when the famous general assembly sat down at Glasgow,
in the month of November, Mr. Henderson, being chosen moderator, it was
moved, That Mr. Johnston, who had hitherto served the tables at
Edinburgh without reward, and yet with great diligence, skill and
integrity, deserved the office of clerk above all others. After much
reasoning, concerning him and some others (put on a leet for election),
the rolls being called, on a vote for a clerk, it carried unanimously
for Mr. Johnston, who then gave his oath for fidelity, diligence, and a
conscientious use of the registers; and was admitted to all the rights,
profits and privileges, wh