He was admitted as a Freeman Surgeon in 1662 and became Deacon in 1673.
He was an army surgeon, commissioned in 1674 as 'second Surgeon to all the Forces in Scotland'. The 'Physician and Surgeon-major to all the Forces' was Dr Christopher Irvin, the first doctor to be a member of the Incorporation. In 1690, the Town 'Councill... requyre John Jossie (the father), Chirurgeon Apothecar to exhibit and produce... befor the kirk Session of the tron Kirk the wholl veshells belonging to the said kirk for the use of the communion that were in his custodie as a lait elder of the tron Kirk paroch" and appointed a Bailie "to caus imprison the said John Jossie upon his refuisall upon a second requisition for his disobedience and to remain therein ay and whyll he fulfill the said ordor of the Councill'.
This was connected with the religious feuding of the times and the abolition of episcopacy. The government required that cups for the sacrament which had been in the possession of the bishops were to be taken from the elders and ministers. The latter refused 'as belonging to their churches and charges to keep'.
