ABSTRACT
There is no point in attempting a complete list of differences and similarities between the kingdoms of England and Germany in order to provide a basis for studying the reception of arguments from the Empire, but three issues merit attention. The first concerns English society and its ranks and degrees. The second issue addresses the nature of the Reformation. The third issue concerns the fact that Germany was an elective monarchy. What is more, Martin Luther remained an important source when arguing about the legitimacy of the church of England. Thomas Bilson then proved that Protestant divines such as Calvin and Beza never advised subjects to resist their princes. Against this background he dismissed the citation of a number of eminent Protestant divines in favour of resistance. Goodman's account took up a number of features of Lutheran thought on the issue of resistance.
