Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

or, The Death of Rizzio

Not so conspicuous in Edinburgh as the Castle, but certainly not less interesting, is Holyrood Palace.

The tragic history of the beautiful, but unfortunate, Mary Queen of Scots is linked inseparably with this historic pile; and the suite of rooms which she occupied during the time of her power and trouble, are preserved to-day pretty much as they were in those sad days long ago.

We will mount the spiral staircase leading from the “Lord Darnley” rooms and enter a small apartment known as Queen Mary’s small supping-room. It was here, in this tiny apartment, that the terrible incident which we relate took place.

THE YOUNG QUEEN HAD AN ITALIAN FAVOURITE NAMED RIZZIO. He had come to Holyrood first as a musician, but he quickly ingratiated himself into the Queen’s favour, and was at last made her private secretary. He was a Roman Catholic, and was suspected of being an agent of the Pope. This turned the rugged Scotch Protestants against him; then his overbearing conduct towards the nobles of the land greatly angered them. Lord Darnley, the Queen’s husband, hated him bitterly, and a conspiracy was formed to kill him, and to do this in the very presence of the Queen.

Thursday night, March 9th, 1565, was the time chosen for the carrying out of this deed. The Queen was sitting in her room surrounded by a few of her special friends, amongst whom was Rizzio, when suddenly the tapestry that concealed the private stairway was thrust aside, and Darnley strode into the room to the side of the Queen. He was followed almost immediately by the gaunt figure of the Earl of Ruthven, with drawn sword in hand. The little party was thrown into great confusion at this threatening intrusion, and the Queen angrily demanded to know the cause thereof.

Shaking his finger at Rizzio, Ruthven replied, “We intend your Majesty no harm, but send that villain forth; he has been here long enough.”

Other armed men pressed into the chamber, and Rizzio, who doubtless was a consummate coward, rushed behind the Queen, and clutching her skirts in terror, implored her protection. No doubt she would have saved him if she could, but the odds were too many for her, and he was stabbed to the heart while he clung to the Queen; then, dragging him from the apartment, the murderers finished their terrible work outside the door at the head of the main stairs.

It was a terrible deed, committed by brutal men but let us forget that side of it and try to learn a lesson from the story. Rizzio was threatened rightly or wrongly, it matters not — by merciless foes. In the moment of his terrible danger he fled for refuge to one whom, he hoped, would afford him protection; but he fled and hoped in vain. The Queen was willing, no doubt, to shield him from his enemies, but she was powerless to do so.

Now here we will point our application and press home our lesson. A relentless foe is on the track of every unconverted sinner. Tramp, tramp, tramp, ever, nearer draw the footsteps of D E A T H. And hell follows after.

You maybe living in perfect serenity, enjoying the pleasure of the world and following the devices and ambitions of your own heart; but in the midst of it all the curtain may be lifted, and, even as Ruthven with drawn sword broke in upon Rizzio’s pleasure, so may grim death break in upon you; and with one fell stroke launch you into ETERNITY. After death the judgment.

It is a serious matter; it would be serious even if it were not so certain; but seeing that there is absolutely no question about it, that this terrible danger lurks beside every unsaved soul, there is no room for trifling. Haste, oh! haste away to a place of safety; flee for refuge from the avenging sword. But whither will you fly? Is there a secure hiding-place? There is. In olden days the poet-prophet sang, “A man shall be as an hiding-place from the storm, and a covert from the tempest.” The Blessed Man of the prophet’s song is Jesus. He spake not of himself, but of God’s beloved Son who was led as a lamb to the slaughter, that He might become the Saviour of death-hunted, sin-burdened, judgment-deserving sinners.

Never did soul of man seek Him in vain. In days gone by He cried, “How often would I have gathered you as a hen her brood beneath her wings, but ye would not!” He is still offering perfect safety from all judgment to “whosoever will.” Millions have fled to His spear-rent side for refuge; welcome they all have been. Will not you seek safety there yourself, seek it speedily, seek it now? O sinner, with sin and death and judgment encompassing your soul, flee to Christ; be in time.

He is willing to save you, and unlike poor Queen Mary, He is able also. The sword cannot touch those who are hid in Him, for He bared His bosom to its stroke; His death has answered every claim of the avenger. Hallelujah! Jesus is a perfect and eternal Saviour.

Just outside the Door of Queen Mary’s Room, on the spot where Rizzio fell, a dark stain is pointed out. It is said to be the stain of Rizzio’s blood, and cannot be washed out. Well, it requires a very credulous mind to believe that it has been there for more than three hundred years. But if the murder of Rizzio did not leave an indelible stain upon the spot where he fell, it left a stain upon the souls of his murderers that no washing by men could cleanse.

And every sin leaves a stain, deep and dark, upon the soul of the person who commits it. The reader’s soul, if uncleansed, is dark and blotted in the eye of God. How shall the foul sins be washed away?

No human ablution, no earthly device can bring it about. There is nothing but the BLOOD: the blood of Jesus Christ. “Without shedding of blood is no remission,” is the word of God. “The blood of Jesus Christ God’s Son cleanses from all sin,” is also His blessed declaration.

Oh that we may be all cleansed and saved by the blood of Jesus! Then we shall be able to sing —
“My sins are forgotten, forgiven, and cleansed, and gone,
   My sins are remembered no more,
 For Jesus has taken them all away,
   My sins are remembered no more.”