Bates, William

William Bates (1625-1699) was a well-liked and highly esteemed Puritan pastor who played a key role in the restoration of King Charles II. Appointed a royal chaplain, he preached at St. Dunstan-in-the-West until forced out by the Great Ejection of 1662. Eventually he settled over a dissenting congregation at Hackney near London, where he spent the remainder of his life in fruitful ministry.