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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Facing Pages · Branch 109 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 102
Early New High German
p. 102schlaffenen Menschen Leiber / so am Jüngsten Tage zur zeit der letzten Posaunen / nach Lehre Pauli, auch sollen Plötzlich in einem Augenblick zur Plusquamperfection vnd Vnuerweßligkeit verwandelt werden) also / das SJE (Silber vnd Gold) Regenerirte vnd mehr dann Vollkommene Silbere vnd Goldere seind; vnnd dahero Crafft vnnd Macht haben / den vnterē Metallis von jhrer Plusquamperfection oder mehr dann Vollkommenheit / et in FORMA & in ESSE, in radice mitzutheilen / das dieselben in die Obern Verwandelt können werden.
Man nehme nun aber die Regeneration vnd Plusquamperfection Silbers oder Goldes für / auff welchen / vnter diesen beyden bisher gesagten wegen (via physico - Chymica tertia, ad LAPI-
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 102fallen-asleep Men, which at the Last Day, at the time of the last Trumpets, according to the Teaching of Paul, are also to be Suddenly, in a moment, transformed into More-than-perfection and Incorruptibility): so that THEY (Silver and Gold) are Regenerated and more-than-Perfect Silvers and Golds; and thence have force and might to impart to the lower Metals, out of their Plusquamperfection, or more-than-Perfection, both in FORM and in BEING, in the root, so that those same may be Transmuted into the Upper.
But now let a man take in hand the Regeneration and More-than-perfection of Silver or of Gold: upon which — by one of these two ways so far spoken of (there is no third physico-Chymical way to the
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 102
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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.