In December 1686 the presbyterian congregation of Killead, co. Antrim, was divided into upper and lower.
Malcome was called to Lower Killead in June 1687, and ordained there on 5 December, hence his birth may be dated about 1662.
The affair came before the general synod of Ulster in June 1704, when Malcome was rebuked and McCracken admonished.
Malcome adhered to subscription, and was the inventor of the phrase ‘new light,’ which, in a criticism of John Abernethy, he applies to the position of the non-subscribers.
His point is that ‘a set of men, by preaching and printing, pretend to give new light to the world by putting personal persuasion in the room of a church government.’ He died at Dunmurry on 17 May 1729, and was buried there on 20 May.