In this verse, we have the beginning of ⟨p. 3⟩Christs answer to Peter, Where first, he pronounceth him blessed. Sometimes men are called blessed, because some special blessing is bestowed on them, or shall be bestowed upon them. Psal. 41.1. Blessed is he that considereth the Poor. Psal. 84.4. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house. Sometimes they are called blessed, because they are heirs of blessedness; Matt. 25.34. Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom, &c. Thus Peter was a blessed man. Secondly, The reason why Christ pronounces him Blessed, from the way wherein this was revealed to him. (1.) Negatively, Not by flesh and blood; by flesh and blood we are to understand Mortal man. Gal. 1.16. I conferred not with flesh & blood. 1 Cor. 15.50. Flesh & blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. Peter was told of this first by man. Joh. 1.40, 41. Andrew saith to him, We have found the Messiah; but the meaning is, it was not only revealed by flesh and blood. (2.) Positively, But my Father that is in Heaven. This is not to be understood of the conviction by Miracles, for many saw Christ's Miracles that were not happy, but of the conviction by the Spirit of God. God who dwelleth in Heaven had taught him this.
In this verse, we have the beginning of ⟨p. 3⟩Christs answer to Peter, Where first, he pronounceth him blessed. Sometimes men are called blessed, because some special blessing is bestowed on them, or shall be bestowed upon them. Psal. 41.1. Blessed is he that considereth the Poor. Psal. 84.4. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house. Sometimes they are called blessed, because they are heirs of blessedness; Matt. 25.34. Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom, &c. Thus Peter was a blessed man. Secondly, The reason why Christ pronounces him Blessed, from the way wherein this was revealed to him. (1.) Negatively, Not by flesh and blood; by flesh and blood we are to understand Mortal man. Gal. 1.16. I conferred not with flesh & blood. 1 Cor. 15.50. Flesh & blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. Peter was told of this first by man. Joh. 1.40, 41. Andrew saith to him, We have found the Messias; but the meaning is, it was not only revealed by flesh and blood. (2.) Positively, But my Father that is in Heaven. This is not to be understood of the conviction by Miracles, for many saw Christ's Miracles that were not happy, but of the conviction by the Spirit of God. God who dwelleth in Heaven had taught him this.