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 62
Early New High German
p. 62von Natur dermassen qualificiret sein / das SIE in MATERIAM PRIMAM anders nicht / als nur alleine auch durch MATERIAM PRIMAM / Naturgemeß-künstlich reduciret wollen / sollen vnd müssen werden; wo ferne man dieselbigen regeneriren vnd ad plusquamperfectionis statum exaltiren wil: Wie in nachfolgenden ausfürlicher dargethan wird.
Der Artist solte je billich / neben höchster Dancksagung gegen GOTT / zufrieden vnd begnüget sein mit deme welches die NATVR (GOTTES Vicaria in Natürlichen sachen / vnd hierzu insonderheit bestalte gescheide Laborantin) selbst vnd alleine / ohne sein / des Artisten / disfals kein Nutzes Hand anlegen oder zuthun / jhme in dem LABORATORIO GOTTES VNIVERSALI, vernimb in der gantzen grossen weiten Weld
Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum: Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum
p. 62so qualified by Nature that THEY will, shall and must be reduced into THE FIRST MATTER in no other way than only, again, through THE FIRST MATTER, Nature-conformingly and by art — so far as one means to regenerate them and to exalt them to the state of more-than-perfection: as will be set out more fully in what follows.
The Artist ought in all fairness — besides the highest thanksgiving toward GOD — to be content and satisfied with that which NATURE (GOD’S Deputy in Natural things, and the shrewd Woman-Labourer appointed to this end in particular) has of herself and alone, without his — the Artist’s — laying any useful Hand to it or doing anything in this regard, for him in the VNIVERSAL LABORATORY OF GOD — understand, in the whole great wide World
Socrates
Reading Heinrich Khunrath’s Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Magnesia Catholica Philosophorum · Printed Page 62
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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.