Let us place a crown of hymns of praise on grace's Forerunner

O Baptist John, preacher of repentance, when your head was cut off you sanctified the earth, for you spread the Law of God to the faithful, and made lawlessness disappear. As one present at the throne of Christ, the heavenly King, plead with Him to have mercy on our souls.

The Forerunner's glorious decapitation occurred out of divine dispensation, so that even to those in Hades he should declare the coming of the Savior. Therefore, mourn, O Herodias, who asked for unlawful murder: The law of God, nor the living age did she love, but one contrived and fleeting.