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 82
Early New High German
p. 82oder Goldes Augmenta geben / Naturgemeß - künstlich mögen werden / der vnwandelbaren ordnung GOTTES vnd vnverenderlichem willen der Natur nach / gar nicht entrahten können: Dieweil Sie nicht seind (wie auch oben gesaget) der Metallorum weder Vniuersalis noch specificirter rechtschaffene Pri-materialische ACKER oder ERDE / in welchem (der NATVR vnd ALLER Naturkündigen Philosophorū sensu atq; consensu / Willen vñ einhelligē vbereinstimmendē Lehre nach) Silber vnd Gold zur Regeneration vnd Plusquamperfection, Naturgemeß - künstlich geseihet werden wollen / sollen vnd müssen.
Ja / ob auch schon Mercurij corporum corporei (wie ich weis / das etliche zuthun vorgegehabt† haben) in Wasser / per se /
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 82or of Gold, may come to be Nature-conformingly and artfully, according to the unchangeable ordinance of GOD and the unalterable will of Nature — can in no wise dispense with: since They are not (as was also said above) the genuine Pri-material FIELD or EARTH of the Metals, neither the Vniuersal nor the specified: in which (by the sense and consent of NATURE and of ALL Nature-knowing Philosophers, and by their Will and unanimous concurring Teaching) Silver and Gold will, shall and must be sown Nature-conformingly and artfully, for Regeneration and More-than-perfection.
Yes: even though the corporeal Mercuries of bodies (as I know that several have purposed to do) might, in Water, of themselves, be
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 82
Ask about a concept, passage, contradiction, or connection.
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.