and sermons, did so reflect
upon the government of the church, as was like to make a schism at
Inverness; and therefore he had caused cite him to that meeting, to
answer for his reproachful doctrine that could not be endured. Mr.
MacBean did not appear before them, nevertheless the magistrates
prevailed with the presbytery to desist from proceeding against him at
that time. But shortly thereafter the presbytery referred him to the
synod of Murray, who appointed a committee to join with the presbytery
of Inverness to deal with him.

In the mean time Mr. MacBean went to church without his cannonical
habit, publicly renounced prelacy, declared himself a presbyterian, and
as he found not freedom in the exercise of his charge in that place, he
demitted it. He preached his farewel sermon on Job xxxiv. 31, 32. The
scriptures he advanced and insisted on, as warrants for his conduct,
were Isaiah viii. 11,-14. Jerem. xv. 18,-21. 2 Cor. vi. 16, 18. and to
prove that Christ was sole Head of the church, Eph. v. 23. Col. i. 18. 1
Pet. ii. 7. Next Lord's day he went to Ross, and there, in Mr.
MacGiligen's meeting-house, preached the truths he formerly opposed; and
some times thereafter he preached at Inverness, till he was, by order of
the council, called to Edinburgh before them.

On this surprizing change and alteration, a great opposition among the
prevailing party soon appeared against him; which was the less to be
wondered at, as he embraced every opportunity of declaring for the cause
of truth, which they were most violent against; and therefore the
presbytery of Inverness sent one of their number to inform the bishop of
Murray, then at Glasgow, of the whole affair. But the bishop dying at
that time, the arch-bishop of St. Andrews took the affair into his
cognizance, and procured an order from the council to bring him to
Edinburgh. In consequence of which he was carried south in Jan. 1688. in
very tempestuous weather, and was called before the council, where he
made a bold and noble stand in defence of the truths he had so solemnly
professed. One of the questions asked at him, was, If he thought the
king's power was limited? To which he answered, He knew no power, but
the Almighty's, unlimited. And though the council could not find then
wherewith to attack him, anent the state, yet, to please the bishops, he
must be imprisoned: And upon the 27th of Feb. thereafter, the
arch-bishop of St. Andrews conveened him before him and th