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I. THE GREATNESS OF THE SIN. Proved by three general considerations: —

1. How tender God is of His worship (Leviticus 10:3; Ecclesiastes 5:2).

2. The more sincere any one is, the more he maketh conscience of his thoughts.

3. Carelessness in duties is the highway to atheism.Particularly: —

1. It is an affront to God, and a kind of mockery.

2. It grieveth the Spirit of God.

3. It is a spiritual disease.

4. It argueth the loss and non-acceptance of our prayers.There is a threefold distraction prayer: —

1. An unwilling distraction.

2. A negligent distraction.

3. A voluntary distraction.

II. THE CAUSES OF THIS ROVING AND INTRUSION OF VAIN THOUGHTS.

1. Satan is one cause.

2. The natural levity of our spirits.

3. Practical atheism.

4. Strong and unmortified lusts.

5. Want of love to God anti holy things.

6. Slightness and irreverence, or want of a sense of God's presence.

7. The curiosity of the senses.

8. Carking and distrustful cares.

III. THE REMEDIES.

1. GO to God and wait for the power of His grace.

2. Meditate on the greatness of Him before whom we are.

3. Mortify those lusts that are apt to withdraw our minds.

4. Before the duty there must be an actual preparation or a solemn discharge of all impediments, that we may not bring the world along with us.

5. Be severe to your purpose.

6. Bring with you to every holy service strong spiritual affections.

7. Remember the weight and consequence of the duties of religion.

8. Let every experimental wandering make you more humble and careful.

9. A constant heavenliness and holiness of heart.

10. Frequent and solemn meditation.

11. By use a man gets greater command over himself.

(T. Manton, M. D.)

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KJV: Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

WEB: You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,