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 32 of 215
Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 25
Early New High German
p. 25den / das LAPIS Philosophorum in rerum Natura jemals gewesen wehre / oder auch Naturgemeß-künstlich (Vormittelst GOTTES Wille vnd Segen) noch zu erlangen / müglich sein möchte; oder aber von etlichen / auff gut Nicodemisch derwegen zweiffel getragen werden; deme / oder denselben / werden stracks entgegen gehalten / nachfolgende zwo VERITATIS TVBAE, Nemlich / Erstlich die offtere EXPERIENTIA oder ERFARVNG / auch noch zu vnserer zeit; wie solches in warheit an vnterschiedlichen örten / von vnterschiedlichen Leuten (die ich es lasse verantworten / woher / vnd wie sie diese hohe MEDICINAM bekommen / demnach haben sie ein solch Kräfftiges vnd wunderthetiges ENS gehabt / vnd künstlich gebrauchet / Ja vielmehr / wie sie darmit haus-
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 25-nied that the LAPIS Philosophorum had ever been in rerum Natura, or that it might still be possible to attain it in a Nature-conforming and artful way (by means of GOD’S Will and Blessing); or if by certain people doubt is carried about the matter in good Nicodemus fashion — against him, or against those same, there are straightway set the two following VERITATIS TVBAE: namely, first, the frequent EXPERIENTIA or EXPERIENCE, even in our own time; as such things have in truth been many times demonstrated at various places and by various People (whom I leave to answer for it — whence and how they came by this high MEDICINE; inasmuch as they have had such a Powerful and wonder-working ENS, and have used it by Art; or rather, how they have house-
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 25
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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.