Unseen Atheism

The first cause of distraction in God's service is secret atheism. There is an atheism of the head, an atheism of the heart, and an atheism of the life. In the first, "The fool hath said in his heart that there is no God," (Ps. 14:1). Mark, it is not, he has thought in his heart, but says it by rote to himself, rather as what he would have, than what he does believe… It is notorious madness to conclude, from the variety and diversity of opinions about religion and government, that there is no God, seeing you are supported by Him, while you dispute and argue about Him.
Athiesm of the heart is that whereby the fool says, "also in his heart, there is no God;" that is either secretly questions or heartily wishes there were none at all. And it is worth observing both of these, that they are such as are obnoxious to the Divine Majesty….
Atheism of the life is to "profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him" (Titus 1:16). Now these latter originate from the first, and the last is most visible in our distractions; for if you did truly believe God present in an ordinance, as he that sits next to you, dare you trifle so egregiously as you do? The minister looks at you and you dare not talk; if you saw Him that looks at you from Heaven, you would dare not wander…
The remedy of this evil is, humbly to read the Scriptures, which is the most clear, certain and convincing way to work faith herein. Prayer and the Bible have convinced more than any other arguments…
—Richard Steele "A remedy for Wandering Thoughts" pp. 60-63