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 151 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 144
Early New High German
p. 144Teuffelsköppe vnd Beelzebubische verfolgere der Warheit / die jhr hin vnd wieder mit gifftigen Natterzungen / aus lauter neidt vnnd mißgunst / wegen von GOTT gnedig Mir vorliehenen Erkentnis vnd Bekentnis MAGNESIAE Catholicæ Philosophorum / Teuffelisch hinder Mir herstechet.
Auch ist noch zur zeit vnuonnöten das man öffentlich vnnd jederman / ohne vnterscheid / anzeige / ob jemand / oder Wer den STEIN der Weisen / siue Vniuersaliter daraus; siue Specialiter darmit; jemals præpariret oder gehabt möge haben: Die Antwort auff solche Fragen bleibt billig eingestellet / bis einmals / zu Meinen deutlichen wolgegründten Confirmationibus vnd klerern Erweisunge / vorngesagter Hauptpuncten / zu seiner Zeit / an seinem Ort / vnd bey seiner Person / altem Philosophi-
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 144Devils’ heads and Beelzebubish persecutors of the Truth, who here and there with poisonous Adders’ tongues, out of sheer envy and ill-will, stab Devilishly behind My back on account of the Recognition and Confession of the Catholic MAGNESIA of the Philosophers graciously bestowed upon Me by GOD.
Also it is as yet needless that one should publicly, and to everyone without distinction, declare whether anyone — or Who — may ever have prepared or had the STONE of the Wise, whether Vniuersally out of it or Specially with it. The Answer to such Questions justly stays suspended, until such time as it come to My plain, well-grounded Confirmations and clearer Demonstrations of the Head-points aforesaid — at its own Time, in its own Place, and with its own Person, after the old Philosoph-
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 144
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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.