And what is still more deplorable, because of such attachments, not only do they not advance, but, so far as perfection is concerned, they fall back, losing in some measure what they had already gained with so much labour. For it is well known that on the spiritual road not to go on overcoming self is to go backwards, and not to increase our gain is to lose. 8. This is what our Lord would teach us when He says, ‘He that gathereth not with me scattereth.’* He who will neglect to repair the vessel