WILLIAM, D.D. an eminent Presbyterian divine, born in November 1623. He was admitted in Emanuel college, Cambridge, and from thence removed to King's college in 1644. He was one of the commissioners, at the conference in the Savoy, for reviewing the public liturgy, and was concerned in drawing up the exceptions against the Common Prayer: however, soon after the Restoration, he was appointed chaplain 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 Litchfield; 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. Bates, 1699, in the 74th year of his age.