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 157 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 150
Early New High German
p. 150Vermeinestu dann / in der Kunst etwas gewisses haben / heisse vnd sey nichts anders / als nur alleine Silber vnd Gold machen? Meinstu dann / das der / so MAGNESIAM erkennet / stracks müsse Transmutatoriè tingiren können? Oho / Geitzhals! O GeldNarr! weit gefehlet. Werestu ein wahrer liebhaber der rechten Weisheit / vnd ein Gehorsames Kind der Philosophen / du würdest die Wunderbare Erkendnissen aus Magnesia Vniuersali, als nemlich / des Ewigen / Allmechtigen / gutthetigen Schöpffers / aus dem Geschöpff; vnd dessen / den er gesand hat / IHSVH Christi; des anfangs der grossen Weld / vnd Naturlicher dinge; deiner selbst / was du seist; vnd der viel wunder wirckenden Natur; Aus welchen allen die Weisheit / Allmacht vnnd Gütigkeit GOTTES (deswe-
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 150Dost thou then suppose that to have something certain in the Art is called, and is, nothing else than only to make Silver and Gold? Dost thou suppose, then, that he who recognizes MAGNESIA must straightway be able to tinge Transmutatorily? Oho, Miser! O Money-fool! wide of the mark by far. Wert thou a true lover of right Wisdom, and an Obedient Child of the Philosophers, thou wouldst hold the Wonderful Recognitions out of Magnesia Vniuersalis — namely, of the Eternal, Almighty, benevolent Creator, out of the creature; and of Him whom He has sent, IHSVH Christ; of the beginning of the great World and of Natural things; of thyself, what thou art; and of Nature, that works so many wonders — out of all which the Wisdom, Almightiness and Goodness of GOD (for which
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 150
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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.