It is in vain for them
to palliate or shelter their covenant-breaking with appealing from the
covenant to the Scripture, for _subordinata non pugnant_. The covenant is
_norma recta_,--a right rule, though the Scripture alone be _norma
recti_,--the rule of right. If they hold the covenant to be unlawful, or to
have anything in it contrary to the word of God, let them speak out. But
to profess the breach of the covenant to be a grievous and great fault,
and worthy of a severe censure, and yet to decline the charge and proofs
thereof, is a most horrible scandal; yea, be astonished, O ye heavens, at
this, and give ear, O earth! how small regard is had to the oath of God by
men professing the name of God.

As for that little which the reverend brother hath replied unto; first, he
takes notice of a passage of his sermon at the taking of the covenant,
which I had put him in mind of, but he answereth only to one particular,
viz., concerning that clause, "Doubtless many materials of Prelacy must of
necessity be retained, as absolutely necessary." I asked what he
understood by this clause? Now observe his answer: "I answer ingenuously,
as he desires, and fully, as I conceive, These materials of Prelacy are
ordination." Remember you said, "_many_ materials of Prelacy." I beseech
you, Sir, How many is ordination? Ordination, ordination, ordination; tell
on till you think you have made many materials; and, withal, tell us (if
this be the meaning, that ordination should be retained without any power
of ecclesiastical government in the ministry) how was it imaginable that
he could hereby satisfy that scruple which then he spoke to, viz., the
scruple about the purging away of the exorbitances of Prelacy, and
retaining a regulated Prelacy? And after all this, I shall desire him to
expound that other clause (which I desired before, but he hath not done
it), "Taking away (said he) the exorbitancies, the remaining will be a new
government, and no Prelacy." Either he means this of a new church
government distinct from the civil, so that the ministry should have new
power of government; or he meant it of the way which now he pleads for. If
the former, I have what I would. Mr Coleman himself, as well as other men,
took the covenant with an intention to have an ecclesiastical government
distinct from the civil. If the latter, then let him answer these two
things: 1. What good sense there was in applying such an answer to such a
scruple, as if t