BY THE supreme council OF THE CONFEDERATE CATHOLICQVES OF IRELAND  
We the supreme council of the said Confederate Catholics, having of a long time, with deep sense of the sufferings of the people, and the ways taken to heap miseries on this afflicted. Kingdom, been equally distracted between the care we were obliged to have taken of the safety and welfare of the Confederate Catholics, and the respect which was due from us, and hath been abundantly expressed by us to the Lord Archbishopp of Firmo, his holiness extraordinary Nuntio in Ireland, we finding his Grace (by the suggestions of a few persons, for their private ends averse to subjection, and disaffected to any mean, by which a settlement (how advantageous and secure soever for Catholic Religion) might be introduced) to insist on such ways as may bring evident destruction upon this Nation; when neither by reason or earnest solicitation, we could divert such proceedings, we are at length enforced to admonish the Confederate Catholics (Whose lives and fortunes are entrusted with us) that henceforth by any such groundless pretensions and suggestions, or any act grounded there, upon, they be not withdrawn from that obedience they owe unto our commands, lest they should expose themselves to that confusion, and the kingdom, to that distraction, which might be fatal unto both. The copy of a late declaration against the Cessation, made by a few bishops conuened before his Grace, and opposed by others of them, of exemplar life and eminent learning, (albeit submitting in obedience to the Maior vote of that meeting they subscribed thereunto) this day affixed by order of the lord Nuntio, the Lord Bishop of Clogher, the Lord Bishop of Rosse, and the Lord Bishop of Cork, hath draweu us (much against our will) by this our public declaration to vindicate the honour of the kingdom, and betimes to forewarn the Confederate Catholics, of the mischiefs which may be fall them, since now we plainly see, that contrary to his holiness pious affections, for the propagation of the Catholic Religion, the observance of due allegiance to his majesty, and the preservation of union among the Confederate Catholics (these being the scope of the Lord Nuntio his mission,) all ways are attempted to introduce the misery of distraction upon us, otherwise it could not be, that use should now be made of that declaration, after we had, in concluding the articles of that Cessation, fully provided for the free exercise of our Religion and Function, and the possessions of our clergy, and after the Lord Nuntio had sent unto us, by Patrick Bryan and Geffrey Baron Esquiers, (as a mean to make the Cessation conscionable) propositions merely temporal, Whereunto we have given ample satisfaction, as by the said propositions and answers now printed may appear. Now therefore, that we see no end of the afflictions, under which the people do groan, we do protest, that we may not give Way to have the government of the kingdom entrusted With us, cast down, and throd upon, nor permit that all affairs, of what nature soever, shall (in ordine ad spiritualia) deuolue to a spiritual tribunal, which must follow, if we may not (without licence first had) either conclude Cessation, regulate armies, nominate Officers, appoint Commissioners, or dispose of places of trust in the civil list. And having resolved to represent unto his holiness our condition, and humbly to beg, (as we do hereby) that he would be pleased to give remedy unto these distractions (in which we find ourselves involved) by assuming unto himself the judgement of the matter of Conscience, pretended in the transactions of this Cessation, as the most powerful, proper, and indifferent judge, to whose sacred throne, in the behalf of the said Confederate Catholics, we do therein appeal, we do premonish all and every the Consederat Catholics, that nothing proceeding from the Lord Nuntio, upon this or the like subject, do lessen the obedience, which by oath, and otherwise they are obliged to bear unto our commands. Given at Kilkenny the 27 day of May 1648.  


Mountgarett,  
Athunry,  
Alex: Mac. donnel,  
Lucas Dillon,  
Rob. Linch,  
Phelim o Neil,  
Richard Bellings,  
Gerrald▪ Fennell,  
Patrick Brian,  
Robert Devereux.     

Printed at Kilkenny In the year of our Lord 1648.