Quotable

The spread of the churches [early 17^th century] in Austria and the surrounding States was marvelous; the accounts of the numbers put to death and of their sufferings are terrible, yet there never failed to be men willing to take up the dangerous work of evangelists and elders....While some were being [martyred], the others who were waiting their turn sang and waited with joy the death which was theirs when the executioner took them in hand.... 

Such steadfastness constantly aroused astonishment...as to the source of their strength. Roman Catholic and Reformed Churches attributed [it] to Satan.  Other believers said, “They have drunk of the water that flows from the Sanctuary of God, from the well of Life...God helped them to bear the cross and they have overcome the bitterness of death....

   E. H. Broadbent, The Pilgrim Church, 173