The Radicals

God in Heaven.

Oh, my God.

Be still.

I am frightened.

This is sacrilege. Stop, I tell you.

This is the house of God.

It seemed so clear to me when it first began.

The Roman Catholic Church had ceased to be the guardian

of faith for Europe's masses and, in the eyes of many

became their oppressor.

Driven to desperation by plague and famine, bands of peasants

rose up against the Church's tyranny.

In their acts of rebellion, I was certain I saw

the hand of God. And so I, Wilhelm Reublin,

left the priesthood. I believed that

with the peasant's backing, the corrupted Church could be

overthrown, replaced by a true Church, not just reformed,

but restored to the principles of Scripture.

I began my quest while Michael Sattler

still collected taxes as prior

of St. Peter's Monastery.

It's Hoffmann again.

Our Lordship believes we've become lax

in the collection of ourtaxes and rent.

I have taxed and double-taxed.

There simply isn't more to take.

I know that.

He doesn't.

Perhaps if I received Lord Hoffmann myself.

A cup I'd be happy to pass.

But take care, Michael. He's a jealous master.

Your grace.

Any news from the East, Lord Hoffman?

All bad.

Nothing between us and the damned Infidels but Vienna.

Everything east dead, or enslaved.

Yes, we hear terrible stories.

Not half so terrible as the truth.

Cut off the bastards' arms and they fight on.

Ascourge - surely from Satan.

It'sahardwinter.

That should help.

What would help is gold.

We can defeat the Turks, Prior,

if we're given the means to do it.

Taxes.

It always comes down to that, doesn't it?

Enemies within, enemies without.

We're mindful of the enemies within.

As forthe enemies without...

God willing, this will help.

How much?

Forty-seven guilders.

Lesswitheverypass.

Plague and famine have taken theirtoll.

They have so little left.

Prior, if the Turks sack Vienna, there will

be nothing.

Still... we do our subjects little favor

to save them from the Turk's sword

so we can crush them with ourtaxes.

There must be guilders left to collect.

You can't wring blood from a turnip.

Then you take what the turnip has!

Your lists, are they complete?

I go by baptisms.

I hearthese radicals - theseAnabaptists -

they refuse to baptize their children.

Better a millstone were hung about their necks.

Betteryour collection book. Every time a child goes

unbaptized, a name goes missing from the list.

Hundreds of names, hundreds of children.

We should be concerned...

Forthe protection of their souls?

If we don't stop the Turks, Prior,

there will be no souls to protect.

It was the day of theAnti-Christ.

Satan was loosed on the earth.

We all believed that. But what face did he wear?

Some said the Infidel Turks. Others said the Reformers:

Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli.

Some, the Pope. And still others said

it was those of us who came to be known as the Anabaptists.

Is it your intention that this child receive

the blessings promised by our Lord?

It is.

A child of Christ? An enemy of Satan?

Amen.

Then I declare this babe prepared to receive baptism.

Although Zurich had broken away from the Catholic Church,

its congregations still maintained many Roman practices

such as the Mass and infant baptism.

Andrew Reitsman, I welcome you into the Church of the people.

I welcome you to a church freed from the

tyranny of Catholic rule, to follow Christ

without interference from Popes or Bishops.

I baptize you, Andrew Reitsmann,

in the name of the Father, and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit. I welcome you...

Into the arms ofhell!! This is no baptism!!

How dare you?!!

I speak on authority of the Scriptures.

To baptize an infant means no more than to water a cow.

It remain a sacrement.

A sacrament of Satan! The Pope's lie.

Leavemychurch!

Behold - the Pope's puppet.

Guards! Get the guards!

Listen to reason! To follow Christ

one must choose to believe.

A child cannot choose.

My church shall not become the stage foryour debate.

It's not my debate, Brother.

I ask- did Christ ever baptize a child?

Or his disciples?

Did he?

Blasphemy!

This sacrament is the Pope's lie.

I don't know how you can do this!

Instruments of God do not baptize their children!

Do not baptize the infants!!

The Swiss Canton of Zurich, presided over by the pastor

and politician, Ulrich Zwingli, a close ally we believed would

help complete the restoration of the Church.

You barge in - disrupt a perfectly peaceful service.

In the name of what - conscience?

In the name of Christ.

So you claim the Pope's authority?

I thought we'd agreed that a man must be free

to follow his own conscience.

So long as conscience is guided by Scripture,

not the City Council.

Change can only happen when people

are ready for it. Foolhardy acts will

only bring about a resistance to change.

George.

We can listen, Ulrich, if you have a betterway.

Opinions are divided on infant baptism.

Disagreements will be heart-felt, I'm sure.

You have spoken against the baptism ofinfants!

When you were a priest, did you not baptize infants?

Until I saw the error of my ways.

Ah. So we're agreed that men of good will

may change their mind.

Baptism is a matter that should be decided

by church leaders - not merchants.

I have in mind a public dispute centered

on this issue ofinfant baptism.

Open to everyone. We can all discuss whether

a child baptized is a child saved -

or merely wet.

And who willjudge this dispute - the council?

A council elected by its citizens.

If you move the people of Zurich,

the Council will listen. If not...

you must abide by its judgment.

One Altman Weber, in the year of our Lord, 1524 - no payment.

In the year of our Lord, 1523 - half payment.

We extended you credit on the promise that you

could settle these accounts, HerrAltman.

My Lord, the people cannot afford food.

They have no money to pay for my printing.

Yes.

Confiscate his press.

What? No!

No, please! Prior, please!

Stop!

How can I pay if I have no hope for an income?

And how can the Church survive ifits

citizens refuse to bear their responsibilities?

There must be some otherway.

Perhaps... Take his livestock instead.

Prior! Prior!

And the chickens.

The Church should feed it's flock,

not fleece it.

We have no money. How are we to eat?

Margaretha.

Yes, Sister?

Can you come?

Right now?

Please.

The baby is dead, Margaretha.

My baby is hungry.

No wonder he cannot sleep.

My God. How long?

Since yesterday. She won't give him up.

Milk! That's all he needs.

I'm all dried up.

Listen, Ursuline. You've doneallyoucan.

The baby...

No! All he needs is milk.

Here, help me sister.

Here, give my your son.

So, it is morning, Prior.

Tis' indeed.

You wouldn't be needing a meal, would you?

No thank you, we have broken fast.

Broke hell out if by the looks of you.

Morning, Sister.