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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Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 15
Early New High German
p. 15phisch zugebrauchen / im Geist vnd in der Warheit Ihn fleissig anruffet / Wann / Wo vnd Wie Er wil / auch weiter ratht schaffen zu der rechten præparation. Eins nach dem andern; sols sein so wird es sich schicken. Es mus von dem Barmhertzigen GOTT erbeten / fleissig nachgesuchet / vnd bis zu seiner zeit / mit gedult / erwartet sein. GOtt / der zum An-fang hilfft / wird auch / so Er wil / vñ du selbst (wie angezeiget) dich recht in die sache schickest / zum Mittel vnd volkommenen Ende helffen. Alle dinge haben jhre Zeit.
Es ligt dissfalls nicht an deinem wollen / Du seist hohes oder nidrigs standes / sondern an der Erbarmung vnd Gnade GOTTES. Das ist gewisslich wahr
Ehe dann aber Ich / zu fürha-benden Philosophischen discursu, fürder schreite / ist zum eingange
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 15-phically to employ, diligently calls upon Him in Spirit and in Truth — When, Where and How He will, further provide counsel also toward the right preparation. One thing after another; if it is to be, it will fall out so. It must be begged of the merciful GOD, diligently sought after, and awaited with patience until His time. GOD, who helps at the beginning, will also help — if He will, and if you yourself (as has been shown) put yourself rightly into the matter — to the middle and the perfect End. All things have their Time.
In this matter it does not rest upon your willing — be you of high or of low estate — but upon the mercy and grace of GOD. That is certainly true.
But before I proceed further to the Philosophical discourse I have in hand, it is highly necessary, by way of entrance,
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 15
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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.