on in
worship, discipline and government, but also, for some time, he sat as a
member of the English parliament, for concerting such methods as might
bring about a firm and lasting peace betwixt the two kingdoms afterward;
which is, and was reckoned a most noble piece of service both to church
and state in those days; yet we shall find it accounted high treason in
this worthy man afterward.

Lord Warriston had, for his upright and faithful dealing, in the many
important matters committed to his charge, received many marks of favour
and dignity, both from church and state; and to crown all the rest, the
Scots parliament in 1646, made an act, appointing his commission to be
lord advocate, with the conduct of the committee of London and
Newcastle, and the general officers of the army: all which evidence,
what a noble hand he had in carrying on that blessed work of
reformation.

He had now been clerk to the general assembly since the year 1638, and
when that unhappy difference fell out _anno_ 1650, when the act of
classes was repeated, whereby malignants were again taken into places of
power and trust; which occasioned the rise of those called protestors
and resolutioners _anno_ 1650, lord Warriston was one of those who had a
principal hand in managing affairs among those faithful
anti-resolutioners; for he wrote a most solid letter to that meeting at
St. Andrews, July 18, 1651, concerning which, the protestors, in their
reasons, proving the said meeting to be no lawful, full or free general
assembly, say, "Sir Archibald Johnston, clerk to the assembly a man
undeniably faithful, singularly acquainted with the acts and proceedings
of this kirk, and with the matters presently in controversy, and who
hath been useful above many in all the tracts of the work of
reformation, from the beginning, in all the steps thereof, both at home
and abroad; having written his mind to the meeting (not being able to
come himself) about the things that are to be agitated in the assembly,
and held out much clear light from the scriptures, and from the acts of
former assemblies, in these particulars. Albeit the letter was delivered
publicly to the moderator, in the face of the assembly, and urged to be
read by him who presented it, that then the moderator did break it up,
and caused it to be read; and that many members did thereafter, upon
several occasions, and at several diets, press the reading of it, but it
could never be obtained, &c.[126]