Paul Bayne on superficial graces

[Reformed Covenanter]

... First, their graces are soon grown up; for a thing superficial is done in half the time that a substantial thing is in working. They get the start: and, while many a true heart before them in the Lord is complaining of wants, and weaknesses, sinful inclinations, usurping in them; they are carried, as it were, per saltum, to their perfection. But as a true birth, though slowly at the first, yet still taketh increase, whereas a mole groweth faster at the first, but soon ceaseth: and look as in nature, things the soonest ripe, are the soonest rotten: So it fareth with these leap-Christians.

Secondly, I say their graces are insincere, their hearts are never purged from some sin which they love and like to live in, for sinister ends entertaining the message of God’s mercy, which is not, that they may reverence him, and serve him all their days without slavish terror: but they gladly hear it, as hoping that they have a protection by it, though they hold on in their own courses. For this it is that the elects faith, which never faileth, is called a faith without hypocrisy; that the true believer is only said to have an honest heart. ...

For more, see:

https://reformedcovenanter.wordpress.com/2023/02/16/Paul-bayne-on-superficial-graces/

 

[No Other Name]

... First, their graces are soon grown up; for a thing superficial is done in half the time that a substantial thing is in working. They get the start: and, while many a true heart before them in the Lord is complaining of wants, and weaknesses, sinful inclinations, usurping in them; they are carried, as it were, per saltum, to their perfection. But as a true birth, though slowly at the first, yet still taketh increase, whereas a mole groweth faster at the first, but soon ceaseth: and look as in nature, things the soonest ripe, are the soonest rotten: So it fareth with these leap-Christians.

Updated Modern: "Like babies newly born, they grow slowly at first - slowly yet steadily and then unnaturally faster like a rising mole on the skin which sprouts quickly and then stands at its natural height in a very short timeframe. But like that foul blemish, these grow so fast that they are not really any different than they were in their earliest stage. So it fareth with these leap-Christians. (I cannot bring myself to alter this amazing turn of phrase!)

Secondly, I say their graces are insincere, their hearts are never purged from some sin which they love and like to live in, for sinister ends entertaining the message of God’s mercy, which is not, that they may reverence him, and serve him all their days without slavish terror: but they gladly hear it, as hoping that they have a protection by it, though they hold on in their own courses.

Second, their expression of grace may seem as mature as any believer who has gone through the purifying fires of sanctification, yet inside their graces are insincere. They still love some unholiness and secretly enjoy seasons of sin that is still rooted in their hearts. Whether knowing or not, when they express worship and thanksgiving to God's mercy for redemption from sin, a sinister potentiality lurks under their skin, a sinister seed that keeps them from the holy fear and trembling required to work out their salvation. But they enthusiastically sing forth praise for atonement, hoping - deep down - that a modicum of protection will be granted from on high regardless of the slinking specter of sin that slithers in the dark corners of their lives.

For this it is that the elects faith, which never faileth, is called a faith without hypocrisy; that the true believer is only said to have an honest heart. ...

For this it is that the elect's faith - which never faileth - is called a faith without hypocrisy; that only the true believer is said to have an honest heart.

(again, the last sentence is too fantastic to change much)