John Trapp on Matthew 1:18

Verse 18. Now the birth of Iesus Christ] [non-Latin text not transcribed] ad [non-Latin text not transcribed] transit. And being to relate a strange thing, and till then never heard of, he elegantly stirs up the hearers minde with this preface. Whenas his mother Mary was espoused] An ancient and commendable custom. Adam took his wife the first day of their creation, (she was espoused to him) but knew her not, till after the fall: Lots daughters were espoused, yet had not known man, Gen. 19, 8, 14. See Deut. 22. 22. Yea, the very Heathens had their [illegible: 1 word], Iudg. 14. 1, &c. Placuit, despondi: [illegible: 1 word] hic dictus est dies, saith [illegible: 1 word] in Terence. We agreed, were contracted, and the wedding-day appointed. To Ioseph, before they came together,] Espoused they were by a speciall providence. 1. That Mary might not be held an harlot. 2. That being big, and needing [illegible: 1 word] help, she might be provided for. 3. That the mystery of Christ might be made known by degrees. She was found with childe of the holy Ghost.] This wonderfullMirari [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 1 word] non licet. conception of our Saviour is a mystery, not much to be pryed into, and is therefore called an overshadowing, Luk. 1. 35. Where also, [illegible: 1 word] any should mistake this (Of) in the text, for the materiall cause: as if the holy Ghost had begotten him of his own substance (as fathers do their children,) the whole order and manner of this conception, so far as concerneth us to know, is declared by the Angel.