History has hitherto been written by our enemies, who never would have kept a single fact about us upon the record if they could have helped it, and yet it leaks out every now and then that certain poor people called Anabaptists were brought up for condemnation.  From the days of Henry II to those of Elizabeth we hear of certain unhappy heretics who were hated of all men for the truth’s sake which was in them.  We read of poor men and women, with their garments cut short, turned out into the fields to perish in the cold, and anon of others who were burnt at Newington for the crime of Anabaptism.  Long before your Protestants were known of these horrible Anabaptists, as they were unjustly called, were protesting for the “one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.”  No sooner did the visible church begin to depart from the gospel than these men arose to keep fast by the good old way…At times ill-written history would have us think that they died out, so well had the wolf done his work on the sheep.  Yet here we are, blessed and multiplied…As I think of your numbers and efforts, I can only say in wonder – what a growth!  As I think of the multitudes of our brethren in America, I may well say, What hath God wrought!  Our history forbids discouragement.

Taken From: The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit: Sermons, Parts 309-320