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 171 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 164
Early New High German
p. 164ley antreiben von Gott / noch einerley verrichtung; Ein jeder verrichtet / ad ædificationem Veritatis / das seine / darzu jhn GOtt zu seiner zeit begabet vnd stimuliret; Als dann heist es auch / Maledictus, qui opus DOMINI facit fraudulenter. Wer wil Gott meistern / das Er Mich also antreibet? sintemal Ich den HERRN teglich anruffe / vt sim sibi id ad Bonum, quod est artifici sua manus. Er erhöret Mich gnediglich; darfur dancke Ich Ihme / vnd verrichte / nach vermögen / was er mir befihlt. Wanns dann GOtt also wil haben / was kan Ich dafür? Quò fatum ineuitabile trahit, eundum.
Dancke du GOTT / das Er dir dieses lesset fürtragen.
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 164-and-the-same driving from God, nor one-and-the-same performing. Each performs, unto the edification of Truth, that for which God has at his own time gifted and spurred him; and then it also runs: Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD fraudulently. Who will school God, that He so drives Me? — since I call daily upon the LORD, that I may be to Him, unto Good, that which his own hand is to the craftsman. He hears Me graciously; for which I thank Him, and perform, according to my power, what He commands me. If then GOD will have it so, what can I help it? Whither inescapable fate draws, thither one must go.
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 164
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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.