angus_mcbean – The Reformation

Angus M`Bean. Recanted
from Episcopacy.

Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, H Scott (1915) rev 1917, 1920

vol 6 p 456 Inverness,1683

         ANGUS M’BEAN, born 1656, of the family of Kinchyle; educated at King’s College, Aberdeen; M.A. (13th July 1675); was session-clerk at Foveran 23rd Dec. 1677 to Feb. 1678; licen. (on the recommendation of Professor Menzies of Aberdeen) and officiated for a time in Ayrshire; pres. by Thomas Fraser of Strichen in Oct., had a certificate for ordination 28th Nov., and ord. and inst. 29th Dec. 1683. Becoming doubtful as to Episcopacy, he ” inveighed against the sins and errors of his time, particularly against Popery, with great judgment, zeal, and boldness,” and on 23rd Oct. 1687, preached a memorable sermon (Job xxxiv., 31, 32) in which he recanted his former opinions and dem. his charge, ” some of his hearers being angry, and some surprised, but those who received most good of his ministry were all in tears.” He now actively joined the Presbyterians, conducted services in private houses and in the open air, and, returning to Inverness, gathered round him a large congregation. Having gone to Edinburgh, he was apprehended, brought before the Privy Council, and after a brief term of imprisonment (from 1st Dec.) was permitted to return home, Duncan Forbes of Culloden giving bail to a large amount that he would answer when called.          In Feb. 1688 he received a second summons to appear before the Council on six days’ notice. Though in feeble health, and the cold intense, he hastened to Edinburgh and reported himself a few hours before his bail expired. He was handed over to an ecclesiastical court, consisting of Arthur, Archbishop of St Andrews, and eight clerical coadjutors. Boldly avowing his change of creed and refusing to return to Episcopacy, he was dep. and committed to the Tolbooth, where he lay for most of the year, Forbes of Culloden and Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstoun, Bart., vainly offering 10,000 merks (£555, l1s. 1d.) for his release. In Dec. the prison was broken open by a party of Presbyterian sympathisers and he was set at liberty,but the rigours of imprisonment had so told on his constitution that he died within two months, Feb. 1689. Hewas the last Presbyterian min. to be dep. under Episcopacy. William Stuart of Kiltearn describes him as “a man of great judgment, excellent learning, and in his own opinion less than the least of all saints, but in the judgment of those who had the best discerning, a man who grew in grace andin the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, to a more than ordinary degree.” He marr. Janet, daugh. of William Trent, merchant, Inverness (she marr. (2) Robert Baillie, min. of Second Charge, Inverness), and had issue Isobel (marr. Alexander Fraser, min. of the Second Charge, Inverness).