Jacobus Acontius

Also known as Jacques Aconcio. Theologian, philosopher, and engineer. Born in Trent, Tyrol, he became curate of that diocese, then became a Calvinist in 1557. Acontius came to England about two years later, where he dedicated his major work, Stratagemata Satanae (The Stratagems of Satan), to Queen Elizabeth. The book attributes all doctrines other than the Apostles' Creed to Satan as stratagems to tempt mankind from truth. However, the book was also a strong plea for religious toleration. An English translation was first published in 1648 under the title Satan's Stratagems; or, The Devil's Cabinet-Council Discovered.