Marriage has a unique place because it speaks of an absolute faithfulness a covenant between radically different persons male and female and so it echoes the absolute covenant of God with his chosen a covenant between radically different partners.

To every people the land is given on condition. Perceived or not there is a Covenant beyond the constitution beyond sovereign guarantee beyond the nation's sweetest dreams of itself.

The compact which exists between the North and the South is a covenant with death and an agreement with hell.