Diotimos Library · Renaissance Collection · Bilingual Edition
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
The 1599 German text with a new English translation, introduction, glossary, and notes.
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Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 23
Early New High German
p. 23THOLISCH fürgestellet: Das EINE der Chymischen Philosophen PRI-MATERIALISCHE VNIVERSale; Welches sonder zweiffel auch darumb mit diesen NAMEN hat / dieweil es vor allen bißhero erzehlten vnterschiedlicher scibilium vnterschiedlichen VNIVERSALIBVS, das ist ALGEMEINEN / IN vnd AVS dem grossen Weld durch GOT-TES / durch GöTTs WVNDERLIECHT* der NATVR / VNIVERSALITER (nach dem höchst-weisesten Rath vnd vnausforschlichem Willē GOTTes) wunderbarlich zeuget; vt INDE etiam physicè ac Physico-Chymicè sciamus, quænam sit mira CREATORIS Bonitas, Sapientia & Potentia. Solte derwegen mit gutem grunde der warheit / aus dem LIECHT der NATVR / VNIVERSALE PLVS
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 23-THOLICLY: that ONE FIRST-MATERIAL VNIVERSALE of the Chymical Philosophers. Which without doubt bears this NAME also for this reason: because, before all the different VNIVERSALIA of the different knowable disciplines recounted hitherto — that is, universals — it bears witness wonderfully, IN and OUT OF the great World, through GOD’S — through GOD’S WONDER-LIGHT* of NATVRE — VNIVERSALLY (according to the most wise counsel and unsearchable Will of GOD); vt INDE etiam physicè ac Physico-Chymicè sciamus, quænam sit mira CREATORIS Bonitas, Sapientia & Potentia. Therefore it ought, upon the good ground of truth, out of the LIGHT of NATURE, VNIVERSALE PLVS
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 23
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Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum argues that alchemy has one universal subject, that this subject cannot be extracted from the metals, and that nothing in the work can begin without recognizing it. This complete reader begins with the supplied seven-part introduction and orientation, then presents every printed page of the 1599 German treatise opposite its new English translation.
Historical Text and Translation
The German reading text is a fresh diplomatic transcription from 600 dpi images of the Magdeburg copy printed by Johann Bötcher in 1599. It preserves Khunrath’s capitalization, word division, authorial marginal keys, glosses, errata, and three unnumbered closing pages: the errata leaf, owl emblem, and colophon.
About Diotimos Editions
Diotimos Editions prepared the new English translation, introduction, notes, glossary, collation, and editorial apparatus. The translation follows Khunrath directly, retaining his technical vocabulary, changes of register, repetitions, rhetorical questions, and distinctions between German, Latin, and coined terms.
Rights
Heinrich Khunrath’s 1599 German work is in the public domain. The 2026 English translation, introduction, notes, glossary, editorial arrangement, and related matter are original to this edition and remain © 2026 Diotimos.