Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
Ver. 5. Gather my saints together unto me] This seemeth to be spoken to the angels, those active instrumeuts and executioners of God's judgments. By saints here understand professors at large, all that live in the bosom of the Church visible, and partake of the external privileges only; such as are in the vine, but bear no fruit, John 15:2; have a name to live, but are dead, Revelation 3:1; such as whose sanctity consisteth only in covenanting by sacrifice. Basil saith that such are called saints to aggravate their sins; as a man that hath an honourable title, but hath done wickedly; and is, therefore, the rather to be condemned. When one pleaded once with a judge for his life, that he might not be hanged, because he was a gentleman, he told him that therefore he should have the gallows made higher for him.
Those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice] But were never brought by me into the bond of the covenant; for then the rebels would have been purged out from among them, as it is Ezekiel 20:37,38 .