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 163 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 156
Early New High German
p. 156ctionibus / die mancher wol zu brauchen weis / auch viel zuseher / aus vnwissenheit / für auffrecht gehalten / jetzo nicht reden) an dieselbigen Tincturas gantz vn - Philosophisch gerathen sein / vnd sie erpracticiret haben. Als lange die Tinctur, also lange wehrete auch jhre Kunst. Man hat nie erfaren / das angedeuteter Tingenten einer den STEIN der Weisen / wie Bernhardus der Graff in seinem hohen Alter vier mahl gethan / hernacher jemals zu Bereitet hette. Hetten sie Materiam gewust; auch derselbigen rechte Præparation; vnnd wehren ware Philosophi gewesen / wie sie doch darfür angesehen vnd gerühmet sein wolten / Sie hetten das Werck / in der langē zeit vnd bey so sehr sehr guten Gelegenheiten / die sie darzu gehabt / wol wiederumb troffen. Aber solches geschahe niemals. Wer
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 156-jections, which many a man knows well how to use, and which many onlookers too, out of ignorance, have held for upright) came by those Tinctures quite un-Philosophically, and got them by practice. As long as the Tincture lasted, just so long lasted their Art also. It has never been found that any one of the Tingents here intimated ever afterwards Prepared the STONE of the Wise, as Bernhardus the Count did four times in his high Age. Had they known the Matter, and its right Preparation as well; and had they been true Philosophers, as they nevertheless wished to be held and famed — they would well have hit upon the Work again, in the long time and with the very, very good Opportunities they had for it. But such a thing never came to pass. Who
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 156
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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.