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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Early New High German Page · Branch 142 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 135
Early New High German
p. 135rationi & labori fuimus rarò dediti &c: Wie ist solches zuuerantworten? Höret ROSARII Authorem: Scio, inquit, quia de necessitate Opus ad talem perueniet Naturam. Ich weis / spricht Er / das das Werck nothwendig also werden würde. SVMMA. Wahre Philosophi WVSTENS. Wohero? Entweder von GOTT / durch sonderbare GOTTLICHE Inspiration, geheime Visiones, vnnd gut - Geistliche Offenbarungen; oder aber nach GOTTes gnedigen Willen / von einem wolwissenden Menschlichem Lehrmeister; oder aber / auch nach GOTTES Willen vnd Erleuchtung / (Regimen enim eius maius est, quam ratione percipiatur, nisi ab inspiratione Diuina detur, inquit Balgus in Turba) aus dem LIECHT der NATVR, durch
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 135-rationi & labori fuimus rarò dediti &c: How is such a thing to be answered? Hear the Author of the ROSARIVM: Scio, inquit, quia de necessitate Opus ad talem perueniet Naturam. I know, says He, that the Work would necessarily become thus. IN SUM. True Philosophers KNEW IT. Whence? Either from GOD, through special DIVINE Inspiration, secret Visions, and good-Spiritual Revelations; or else, according to GOD’S gracious Will, from a well-knowing Human Schoolmaster; or else again, also according to GOD’S Will and Enlightenment (for its Regimen is greater than may be grasped by reason, unless it be given by Divine inspiration, says Balgus in the Turba) out of the LIGHT of NATURE, through
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 135
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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.