AMES, William, D.D., a learned Independent divine, was born in 1576, and educated at Christ's College, Cambridge. In the reign of King James I., he left the university, in order to avoid expulsion for nonconformity, and retired to the Hague, where he had not been long before he was invited to accept of the divinity chair in the university of Franeker, in Friesland, which he filled with great ability for above twelve years. He removed from thence to Rotterdam on account of his health; and there he continued during the remainder of his life. His controversial writings, which compose the greater part of his works, are chiefly against Belarminism and the Arminians. He also wrote, 1. A fresh Suit against Human Ceremonies in God's Worship; 2. Lectures in Psalms Davidis; 3. Medulla Theologiae; and several pieces relative to the sciences. He died of an asthma, at Rotterdam, in November 1633.