THE REBEL'S LETTER TO THE POPE.  
Wherein they present unto him their Late Purchases by the Sword in Ireland, praying his Benediction for their future Proceed.  
Sent and communicated by an Irish Priest unto his friends here in England.   printer's or publisher's device 
LONDON, Printed january 20. 1642.   

A LETTER FROM THE Chieftains of the Irish Rebels unto the POPE.  
MOst holy Father, Forasmuch as we being lately moved and stirred up by the instinct and will of Almighty God, to recover this Kingdom from the heavy yoke of the English, who for many years passed by force have kept under, and suppressed both our Religion and Nation; Have now, making use of the advantages of the time, while the Heretics are in civil discord, with great courage and alacrity broke our bonds, and well-nigh totally freed ourselves from their yoke: We therefore now have thought it our duty to declare unto your Holiness, that it hath always been, and ever shall be, our principal care and endeavour to revive the State of the Catholic Church here almost extinguished, and to restore her ruins; as reputing it with ourselves for our part and duty to spend and employ our very lives and all our substance in the propagation and enlargement of the same: To which also we have been the more willingly induced (if not compelled) for that if we had not used this timely prevention against mischief, we were like to have expected a worse estate and being here, then that which the Turks afford unto their Christian Subjects: insomuch that we must have left either our country, lives, or Religion; Wherefore being at this point, unto whom with more right and hope can we make our recourse for help and assistance then unto thee our spiritual Father on earth, that under the Wings of thy favour and benediction, we may find security in all our enterprises: Which thing we hope to obtain of your Holiness, by the example of others who have never sought in vain for grace and favour from your holy See in their need and affliction; Unto thee therefore, the common Father of mercy unto all the sons of the Church, as unto our only refuge and most safe Sanctuary we make this our address, most humbly beseeching that thou wilt hear our sighs, receive our prayers, and grant our requests, that the mouths may be stopped, and the force broken of them that hate thee, and threaten to hinder the re-edification of the broken walls of our jerusalem. Wherein if your Holiness will vouchsafe credit unto us (without arrogance be it spoken) never any of our predecessors since the time our Kingdom first came into the hands of the English, have been more forward and gone further in the propagation of the holy faith first brought in unto us by our holy Apostle St. Patrick then ourselves; and to cherish, amplify, and spread the same, having now well-nigh cast off the heretical yoke of the English, whereunder it lay almost extinguished and buried in these parts: For in these our endeavours we desire and aim at no other thing then the defence of the Catholic faith, and of the glory of the Roman See, in the reflourishing of the same in this Kingdom. Wherefore let your Holiness vouchsafe to incline to these Petitions of us, who contemning honours and profits whatsoever, desire not to live a day longer, then that they may see the Church of Rome flourish throughout the Universe.  
Now in the first place, our request is, that for the better increase of the faith, to those Ecclesiastical Sees that are void in this Kingdom, such may be preferred who are eminent for learning, and policy, who together with us take great pains in the promotion and advancing forward of the Catholic Cause, being such whom we with the most Reverend Bishop of Cork, have nominated and commended, as Pastors fit to instruct thy flock, both with the Word, and by their own example; lest otherwise men, perhaps coming with more ambition and authority then worth, intrude themselves into the managing of the Catholic Cause in this Kingdom: To which request we are moved by the great loss of many fallen away to the Adversary, which here we have suffered through the paucity of Pastors in either Province of Monster, which containeth Eleven Bishoprics, all under the Metropolis of Cassills': The reverend Bishop of Cork being also wholly worn out and spent with age and labour. And this we the more boldly crave, for that those that have been elected, consecrated, and sent from your sacred See to possess the places void in these parts, are by us (with the assistance of Almighty God) so defended and secured, that they may with safety watch over and tend the flocks committed to their charge.  
Moreover, We desire that as your predecessors, Pius Quintus, and Gregory the thirteenth, of happy memory, published and sent their Bulls of Excommunication against the late Queen of England, and her Adherents; Even so that your Holiness would vouchsafe at this time to denounce and send forth the like Sentence against all our heretical Opposers, for the furtherance and advancement of this War, and the facilitating of a happy and wished consummation of the same.  
And lastly, with the greatest affection of our hearts that we are able, we commend and commit unto your sanctity, this your Kingdom, that depends on yourself only (under God) together with ourselves as your humble Subjects, and the bearers hereof our Ambassadors unto your Holiness, who will more fully by word of mouth what we (assisted with their help and doctrine) have achieved in this War, Praying that your Holiness will vouchsafe unto them undoubted credit and belief.  
Given in our Catholic Camp the 20th of December 1641. Stilo novo. Your Holinesses most obedient Sons and most faithful Subjects; 

Oneale Omaghon.  
Mac Cartie More.  
Mac Donogh Macquire.    
FINIS.