Politikos megas the grand politician, or, The secret art of state-policy discovered in evident demonstrations of unparalleled prudence, and confirmed with wonderful and successful adventures, stratagems and exploits of wisdom and subtility, both in peace and war, by the most remarkable witts of former ages : being a treatise both useful and necessary for all nobles, states-men, judges, lawyers, justices of peace, officers of wars, and all such as now are, or may happen to stand at the helm of publick affairs, whether in kingdom or commonwealth / written originally in Latin by Conradus Reinking, Chancellour ot His Electoral Highness the Duke of Brandenburg, and now done into English by a careful hand.

INTRIGUE L. How to Suppress the Vices, and wrong Sen∣tences of Partial Judges.

FIrst of all, great Care must be taken that Courts and Judicatories be not prostitute to a filthy Crew of perverted Judges, who pass Sentence partially for Reward, or at the request of some great Person, or for the Favour they bear to any Party; but that all such Places be freely conferred on such as are knowing, well-deserving, good and honest Men. For what∣ever a Man buyeth, he looketh upon as hi•• Money, whereof he is free to make his best.

And thus a Magistrate, who hath bought his Place, with freedom taketh a Bribe, which is the Original, out-most Extent, and non ultra of all Filthiness and Knavery. Hence arise Mur∣ders, Slaughters, Robberies, contempt of the Laws, &c. Every one confiding that all Crimes howsoever heinous, can be bought off for Mo∣ney. Therefore, it is needful that all Judges have their Sallaries appointed them from the publick; and that they themselves be bound, under a se∣vere penalty, to take no Money, directly or in∣directly, upon the Account of their Offices. Moreover, none ought to be appointed a Judge in his own Native Country; neither will a wise Man desire it: For, whether he be an Honest Man, or a Knave, it will still be presumed, that he will pass many partial Sentences; upon the Account of his Friends, Kindred, and Rela∣tions.