BATES, WILLIAM, D. D. an eminent Presbyterian
divine, born in November 1625. He was admitted in
Emanuel college, Cambridge, and from thence removed
to King's college in 1644. He was one of the com-
missioners, at the conference in the Savoy, for review-
ing the public liturgy, and was concerned in drawing
up the exceptions against the common Prayer: how-
ever, soon after the Restoration, he was appointed chap-
lain to King Charles II. and became minister of St
Dunstan's in the west, but was deprived of that benefice
for nonconformity. Dr. Bates bore a good and amiable
character; and was honoured with the friendship of
the lord keeper Bridgman, the lord chancellor Finch,
the earl of Nottingham, and Archbishop Tillotson. He
was offered, at the Restoration, the deanery of Litch-
field; which he refused. He published Select Lives of
illustrious and pious persons, in Latin; and since his
death, all his works, except his Select Lives, have been
printed in one volume in folio. He died in July 14.
1699, in the 74th year of his age.