William Bates

William Bates (November 1625 – 14 July 1699) was an English Presbyterian minister.

Life He was born in London in November 1625, and was educated at Cambridge, initially at Emmanuel College and subsequently (1644) at Queens' College. In 1647 he proceeded B.A.

He was a Presbyterian. His first living was St. Dunstan's-in-the-West, London, and he remained as vicar until the Act of Uniformity 1662 was passed, when he was ejected. He also took part with other evangelical clergy in carrying on a lecture series in Cripplegate church under the name of 'Morning Exercise.'

Bates took part in the negotiations for the restoration of King Charles II of England; royal favour came to him, and he was appointed one of the royal chaplains. In 1660 he acted as one of the commissioners of the Savoy conference. In 1661 Cambridge conferred on him the degree of D.D. by royal mandate. At the same time he was urged to accept the deanery of Lichfield and Coventry, but like Richard Baxter, Edmund Calamy the elder, Thomas Manton, and others in their position, he declined office. Later, Bates conducted the discussion between the nonconformists and John Pearson, Peter Gunning, and Anthony Sparrow.

In 1662, Bates, along with two thousand others ministers, lost their jobs under the Act of Uniformity; he noted that his Nonconformity was motivated, not by politics, but by his fear of offending God. Harmony of the Divine Attributes (1674) Harmony of the Divine Attributes (1675) Harmony of the Divine Attributes (1771) Harmony of the Divine Attributes (1831) The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of mans redemption ([n.d.]) Considerations on the Existence of God and Immortality of the Soul (1676). Four Last Things–Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell (1691, reprinted 1838). Sermons preach'd on Several Occasions (1693). Spiritual Perfection (1699). Vitae Selectorum aliquot Virorum qui doctrina, dignitate, aut pietate inclaruere (1681) Lives of famous divines in Latin. The whole works of the Rev. W. Bates (IV volumes) (printed in 1815) Joint author of The Attributes of God (1835) A funeral-sermon for the Reverend, holy and excellent divine, Mr. Richard Baxter, who deceased Decemb. 8, 1691 : with an account of his life (1692) An account of the life and death of Mr. Philip Henry, minister of the gospel near Whitchurch in Shropshire, who died 24 June 1696, in the sixty fifth year of his age; with Dr. Bates's dedication (1797).