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 174 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 167
Early New High German
p. 167nach / gar gewis / das er den wahren HEILAND Menschliches Geschlechts auff seinen Armen hielte: Also auch / ob schon ein wahrer Philosophus Chymicus von MAGNESIA CATHOLICA, daraus LAPIS Philosophorum Catholicus præpariret mus werden / noch keine transmutationes Metallorum (wornach nur allein die Geldtsüchtige Weld gaffet / vnnd weit höhere Theosophi-sche auch Medicinalische desselben Breuche vnd Nützungen / gantz Vnphilosophisch zu rück setzet) erlanget / vnnd thun hat sehen: Noch dennoch weis er Physicè, historicè ac Theosophicè aus eingebung vnnd Lehr des heiligen Geistes / auch aus dem Macrocosmischen Buche / dem Liecht der Natur / vnnd guter Vernunfft nach / auch gar gewiß vnd vnfehlbar / das er den wahren Medici-
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 167— quite certainly, that he held the true SAVIOUR of the Human Race in his Arms: so also, although a true Chymical Philosopher has not yet attained — nor seen done — any transmutations of Metals out of MAGNESIA CATHOLICA, from which the Catholic LAPIS of the Philosophers must be prepared (which transmutations alone the Money-craving World gapes after, setting aside, altogether Unphilosophically, the far higher Theosophical and Medicinal uses and profits of the same): yet nevertheless he knows, Physically, historically and Theosophically — by the inspiration and Teaching of the holy Ghost, and also out of the Macrocosmic Book, according to the Light of Nature and to good Reason — quite certainly and infallibly too, that he holds in his Hands the true Medici-
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Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 167
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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.