The  disciples  of  the  martyred  prophet  were  permitted  to  enjoy  the
melancholy  satisfaction  of  burying  his  headless  corpse  ;  for  Herod,
who  would  gladly  have  spared  his  life,  did  not  withhold  his  body  from
them.  They  must  have  viewed  the  early,  sudden,  and  cruel  death  of
their  revered  Master,  as  a  mysterious  event.  To  lose  a  friend  by  the
hand  of  violence  is  far  more  bitter  than  to  lose  him  through  disease  or


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accident ;  for  it  is  more  difficult  to  see  God's  hand  in  the  loss  when
man's  cruelty  has  had  a  share  in  it.  With  bursting  hearts,  these  be-
reaved disciples  went  and  told  Jesus  of  their  trouble,  (Matt.  vi.  12.)

He  could  have  explained  the  dark  perplexing  event.  He  knew  that
John  was  taken  away  from  the  evil  to  come,  and  was  spared  the  sight
of  his  own  ignominious  death.  But  we  do  not  know  what  He  said
to  comfort  these  mourners.  None  can  sympathize  with  the  sorrowful
as  the  Son  of  God  can.  He  came  "  to  comfort  all  that  mourn."  His
sympathy  is  not  only  tender ;  it  is  powerful.  He  is  not  only  touched
with  the  feeling  of  our  infirmities,  he  can  succor  us  when  tempted.
