... superstructure of the state was hostile to Calvinism remained unclear. Moreover, what one should do in the face of absolute Catholic repression (as opposed to the potential and partial repression seen in Calvin's day) was never clarified. In terms of theories of resistance, Calvin and Luther were of very similar opinion. Luther's pamphlet, Ravaging Hoardes, makes explicit reference to the fact that peasant revolt was bad, and actually shared Calvin's view of society. The most important person in determining resistance theories through the sixteenth century was the one of the idea's greatest opponents. The sixteenth century's most famous political philosopher, Machiavelli, was a devoted Catholic and gained experience between 1498 and 1512 in the Florentine diplomatic corps. He was engaged in a variety of roles in France, the Papal States and Germany. Sacked by the new Medici government in 1512, Machiavelli was writing in part at least in order to regain ...

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