Fundamenta chymica: or, A sure guide into the high and rare mysteries of alchymie; L.C. Philmedico Chymicus.

To his ingenious Friend, Mr. ROBERT TURNER, on this his laborious and difficult Translation.

EXpect not (Sir) that I should amply treat Of this Discourse, (that cost you pains and sweat) Nor hope for yet, from my more duller pen, Your Sal should be describ'd to Englishmen. The sublime secrets of your Chymick-skill May prosper better from your learned quill. My fancy's raw, my brain is not endu'd With Art enough to talk of humours crude, Nor yet of th' Epilepsie, or the Gout, Consumption, Asthma's, or the rabble-rout Of Physick-Terms: I study other things: Ergo, I'll leave those unto Chymist-Kings. These high-born Fancies do appear to me, Like great Sir Urquhart's Genoalogy. Nor dare I without Sendivogius Torch, Approximate you neerer then the Porch;

Lest I (presumptuous) should be gaz'd upon By those that have their wedding-Garment on But, as man oft feels heat, and sees no fire, So I (unskil'd) this learned Work admire. The learn'd Physitians, who yeers consume In finding out a Medicine for the Rheume, (And when they think themselves to be at rest, They dare not write on it, probatum est) May learn by this (could they but finde the cause) To cure diseases by the Chymists Laws: Nor need th' ingenious Operator doubt Of perfecting what'ere he goes about: The lofty Secrets in this Book laid down, (Once understood) will save him many a Crown. There is a Secret higher yet in this; For here is taught what anima mundi is: For which the Learned oft have beat their brains, And gained nought but labour for their pains If men would learn this quicker way, & share In Chymick-skill, deal in learn'd Turner's Ware.

Jo. Gadbury, Philomath.