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 186 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 179
Early New High German
p. 179viel guter Warheit-liebende Hertzen / So einen rechtschaffenen Philosophischen Hunger vnd Durst nach dem höchsten GVTH in der NATVR / durch Alchymiam, fülen / von dem vnwege auff die rechte Bahn des Erkendnis eines darzu gewissen Anfanges (verstehe der wahren Materiæ, dauon im Anfang dieses Tractatus auch meldung geschehen) zu bringen: In deme Ich jhnen eine rechte Philosophische anweisung entdecket / wie sie die allein wahre / aller reiner Philosophorum Catholische Magnesiam, darinnen der grund LAPIDIS Philosophorum stecket / nach dem willen GOTTEs / aus Natürlichem LIECHT vnd HARMONischer analogia mit IHESV Christo / von den Pseudo-Magnesijs vnterscheiden möchten; das jhnen nicht quid pro quo, merda pro balsamo, auff-
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 179many good Truth-loving Hearts — who feel an upright Philosophical Hunger and Thirst after the highest GOOD in NATURE, through Alchemy — to bring from the wrong road onto the right Path of the Recognition of a Beginning sure for that purpose (understand, of the true Materia, of which mention was also made at the beginning of this Treatise): in that I have disclosed to them a right Philosophical instruction, how they might distinguish the alone true Catholic Magnesia of all the pure Philosophers — wherein the ground of the LAPIS Philosophorum lies hidden — from the Pseudo-Magnesias, according to the will of GOD, out of the Natural LIGHT and out of the HARMONIC analogy with IHESV Christ; so that there be not forced upon them quid pro quo, merda pro balsamo, one thing for
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 179
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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.