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corously. He frequently interrupted Mr. Baxter, and appealed to Dr. Bates, saying—“ what say you Dr. Bates, is this your opinion ?” to which the Dr. replied—“ I pray my Lord, give Mr. Baxter leave to speak.” Dr. Gunning appeared to lean considerably towards a reconciliation of the church of England to Rome. He used, says Bishop Burnet, all the arts of sophistry in as confident a manner, as if they had been sound reasoning, and was very fond of Popish rituals and ceremonies. When Dr. Bates urged upon him, that on the same reasons as they imposed the cross and surplice, they might bring in holy water, and lights, and abundance of such ceremonies of Rome which had been cast out; Gunning replied, “ Yes, and I think we ought to have more and not fewer.” During the whole of this protracted, but fruitless debate, Dr. Bates conducted himself with great wisdom and moderation; whenever he spoke it was very solidly, judiciously, and pertinently,” and procured great respect from his brethren, who were of opinion that had the rest been of his mind, things had not come to so unsuccessful an issue.

The act of uniformity passed in the year sixteen hundred and sixty-two, when Dr. Bates was thirty-seven years of age, by which he was deprived of the valuable living of St. Dunstan’s, in the West. On this trying occasion he displayed heroic firmness of mind in lovely union with that mildness and candour which breathe in his writings. Terms were imposed by this act, with which he could not conscientiously comply, though every thing in his nature strongly disposed to a compliance, and made him deeply lament the circumstances that imposed the absolute necessity of secession from the established church. Re-ordination of those who had not been episcopally ordained-A declaration of unfeigned assent and consent to all and every thing prescribed and contained in the book of common prayer--Administration of sacraments, rites and ceremonies as enjoined by the church of England-were among those terms which forced him from her communion with 2000 others who were among her brightest ornaments, both for learning and piety. This was a peculiarly trying time to him; the state of his mind, as well as the principles on which he acted, may be learned from the close of the farewel sermon he preached to his people at St. Dunstan's church, on this painful occasion, Aug. seventeenth, sixteen hundred and sixty-two,

“ I know you expect I should say something as to my non-conformity. I shall only say thus much: It is neither fancy, faction, nor humour that makes me not comply; but merely the fear of offending God. And if after the best means used for my illumination, as prayer to God, discourse, and study, I am not able to be satisfied concerning the lawfulness of what is required, it be my unhappiness to be in error, surely men will have no reason to be angry with me in this world, and I hope God will pardon me in the next.”

Subsequently to this, some of the more moderate in the establishment, among whom were Lord Keeper Bridgman, Lord Chief Justice Hale, Bishops Wilkins and Reynolds, Drs. Tillotson and Stillingfleet, attempted a comprehension of such as could be brought into the church by a few abatements. Proposals were drawn up by Bishop Wilkins and Dr. Burton, and communicated to Drs. Bates, Manton and Mr. Baxter, and by them to their brethren. According to these proposals a bill was prepared for the parliament, but violent opposition being made to it by some of the Bishops it never passed.

In sixteen hundred and sixty-eight, we find Dr. Bates with Drs. Manton and Jacomb, presenting an address to the King, who received them graciously, and expressed himself well pleased with the address; how much he was persuaded of their peaceableness, that he had known them to be so ever since his return; and promised to do his utmost to get them compre

hended within the national establishment. But his Majesty failed to fulfil his promise; while the work of persecution against the non-conformists proceeded with increased vigour.

Though he was never cast into prison, which was the lot of numbers of his brethren, he had once a very narrow escape.

A Mrs. Beale being near death, several pious persons were solicited to meet in her room and pray for her, Dr. Bates and Mr. Baxter were to be of the number, of which information being given, two justices of peace with the parliament serjeant-at-arms, came at the appointed time to apprehend them and lay them in prison. Providence preserved them, for they did not attend, though ignorant of the design of their persecutors. The justices and serjeant-at-arms rushed into the room, where the gentlewoman lay ready to die, but missing their prey returned greatly disappointed. “ What a joy, observes Mr. Baxter on this occasion, “ would it have been to them that reproached us as Presbyterian seditious schismatics to have found but such an occasion as praying with a dying woman to have laid us up in prison !"

At this time Dr. Bates was pastor of a dissent ing congregation at Hackney, near London, assem bling in a large and ancient, but irregular edifice situated in Mare-street, where he exercised his ministry with great success; and at the same time was one of the Tuesday lecturers at Salter's Hall, in London, where his popular talents as a preacher, drew immense crowds.

In sixteen hundred and seventy-five we find him again engaged in attempting pacific measures between the church and those who had seceded from it. Tillotson and Stillingfleet requested an interview with him and several other non-conforming ministers, to treat of an act of comprehension and union, stating that they were encouraged to it, by several lords, spiritual and temporal. They met privately, and terms of accommodation were agreed upon, but several bishops raising'a violent clamour, the business came to an end. Thus were all the endeavours of Dr. Bates, to promote union and concord frustrated. In Dr. Tillotson, he met with a man likeminded with himself, uniformly disposed to adopt pacific measures. “ Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Between these amiable and excellent men, there subsisted a long and intimate friendship, which no difference of opinion could interrupt or destroy. The peaceableness of Dr. Bates' disposition, the excellence of his character, and his high connections, were no security to him against persecution. Warrants were issued out for distresses in Hackney to the amount of £1400, and among the rest the Dr. was distrained upon. Thus in addition to the blessedness of the peace-maker, he enjoyed that of the persecuted for righteousness sake.

The accession of James II. to the throne of England, produced no amelioration in the persecuted condition of the dissenters. The parliament presented an address to the King, desiring him to issue his royal proclamation, to cause the penal laws to be put in execution against dissenters from the church of England. This brought down the storm, and one of the first who felt its fury, was the pious Baxter, who had already endured no small degree of persecution. The following anecdote presents a pleasing view of Dr. Bates fortitude and inviolable faithfulness to his friendships. Mr. Baxter was seized and committed to the King's Bench. Labouring under a severe indisposition, he moved by his counsel for time, but Judge Jefferies of infamous celebrity, said he would not give him a minute's time, no, not to save his life, adding, “ Yonder stands Oates in the pillory, and if Mr. Baxter stood on the other side, I would say, two of the greatest rogues in England stood there.” When he was brought to his trial, Dr. Bates attended and stood by him at the bar, though fully aware of

the odium he should incur. Jefferies noticed it, and in his abusive, insolent manner, exclaimed, "Richard, Richard, don't thou think we will hear thee poison the court. Richard, thou art an old fellow, and an old knave; thou hast written books enough to load a cart, every one as full of sedition, I might say of treason, as an egg is full of meat: hadst thou been whipt out of thy writing trade forty years ago, it had been happy. Thou pretendest to be a preacher of the gospel of peace, and thou hast one foot in the grave, it is time for thee to begin to think, what account thou intendest to give; but leave thee to thyself, and I see thou wilt go on as thou hast begun; but by the grace of God I will look after thee. I know thou hast a mighty party, and I see a great many of the brotherhood in corners, waiting to see what will become of their Don, and a Doctor of the party, Dr. Bates at your elbow, but by the grace of Almighty God, I will crush you all."

Happier days for the dissenters were about to commence. James abdicated the throne, and William and Mary ascended it. On this happy occasion, the dissenting ministers in London and the neighbourhood, with Dr. Bates at their head, waited on their Majesties with an address of congratulation, when he made the following speech.

Dr. Bates' speech to the King.

May it please your Majesty,

The series of successful events that has attended your glorious enterprize for the saving these kingdoms from so imminent and destructive evils has been so eminent and extraordinary, that it may force an acknowledgment of the Divine Providence from those who deny it, and cause admiration in all who believe and reverence it. The beauty and speed of this happy work are the bright signatures of his hand, who creates deliverance for his people: the

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