His father was Oliver Bowles, B.D., minister of Sutton, and one of the oldest members of the Westminster Assembly, also author of 'Zeale for God's House quickned: a Fast Sermon before the Assembly of the Lords, Commons, and Divines,' 1643, and 'De Pastore Evangelico,' 1649; 1655 and 1659, (published by his son, and dedicated to the Earl of Manchester).
He was chaplain to the Earl of Manchester, and after the surrender of York, 15 July 1644, was appointed one of the four parliamentary ministers in that city, officiating alternately at the minster and Allhallows-on-the-Pavement.
On 29 December 1657 he wrote to Secretary John Thurloe, urging the suppression of preachers who advocated the observance of Christmas Day.
A Presbyterian excluded from York Minster, he continued to preach at Allhallows, and subsequently at St. Martin's, besides conducting a Thursday lecture at St. Peter's.
In the lawsuit begun on 18 June 1830, over the Lady Hewley Trust, use was made on both sides of the doctrinal statements and omissions in the catechism.