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Composed by the thrice-famous and learned Fryer, _Roger Bachon_, sometimes fellow of _Martin_ Colledge: and afterwards of _Brasen-nose_ Colledge in _Oxenforde_.
Also a most excellent and learned discourse of _the admirable force and efficacie of_ Art _and_ Nature, _written by the same Author_.
With certaine other worthie Treatises of the like Argument.
_In times past the Philosophers spake afters diuers and sundrie manners throughout their writings, sith that as it were in a riddle and cloudie voyce, they haue left vnto vs a certaine most excellent and noble science, but altogither obscure, and without all hope vtterly denied, and that not without good cause. Wherefore I would aduise thee, that aboue all other bookes, thou shouldest firmly fixe thy mind vpon these seuen Chapters, conteining in them the transmutation of mettalls, and often call to minde the beginning, middle, and end of the same, wherein thou shalt finde such subtilitie, that thy minde shalbe fully contented therewith._
The Mirrour of Alchimy, composed by the famous Fryer, _Roger Bachon_, sometime fellow of _Martin_ Colledge, and _Brasen-nose Colledge in Oxenforde_.
In many ancient Bookes there are found many definitions of this Art, the intentions wherof we must consider in this Chapter. For _Hermes_ saith of this Science: _Alchimy_ is a Corporal Science simply composed of one and by one, naturally conioyning things more precious, knowledge and effect, and conuerting them by a naturall commixtion into a better kind. A certain other saith: _Alchimy_ is a Science, teaching how to transforme any kind of mettall into another: and that by a proper medicine, as it appeareth by many Philosophers Bookes. _Alchimy_ therfore is a science teaching how to make and compound a certaine medicine, which is called _Elixir_, the which when it is cast vpon mettals or imperfect bodies, doth fully perfect them in the verie proiection.