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 181 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 174
Early New High German
p. 174lein in acht nehme vnnd verstehe / wo sie die Warheit der PRAEPARATION geschrieben, Sondern auch per SPIRITVM BONVM / jhme gute einfelle zu geben / vnd also regieren zu lassen / das er MAGNESIAM in LABORATORIO auch dermassen Physico-chymicè recht tractire, damit er zu gewüntschetem Ende gelangen vnd kommen möge.
Es were manchem besser / er hette sein lebtage von Lapide Philosophorum gar nichts gehöret / dann das er mit stoltzen trotzigen worten (wie Meine wiedersacher thun) MAGNESIAE, Lapidis Philosophorum Catho-lici wahrer MATERIAE, sich rühme / vnd gehet doch jrre; arbeitet auch auff lauter Phantaseyen / vnd in jrrigen Materijs, an stadt der EINEN allein wahren Materiæ, die er nicht Erkennet.
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 174-lone mark and understand where they have written the Truth of the PREPARATION, but that He also, by the GOOD SPIRIT, give him good promptings and so govern him that he may handle MAGNESIA in the LABORATORY likewise rightly, in a Physico-chymical way, so that he may attain and come to the wished-for End.
It were better for many a man that he had all his life long heard nothing at all of the Lapis Philosophorum, than that he should boast himself with proud defiant words (as My adversaries do) of MAGNESIA, the true MATERIA of the Catholic Lapis Philosophorum, and yet go astray; and should work besides upon mere Fantasies, and in erroneous Materias, instead of the ONE alone true Materia, which he does not Recognize.
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 174
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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.