its
deep
calm
suddenly
disturbed
;
distractions
come
in
crowds,
one
upon
another;
the
soul
finds
only
stones
in
its
path,
dryness
and
aridity.
A
feeling
of
distaste
comes
into
prayer.
Its
passions,
which
it
thought
were
dead,
but
which
were
only
asleep,
all
revive.
It
is
completely
astonished
at
this
change.
It
would
like
either
to
return
to
the
top
of
the
moun-tain,
or
at
least
to
remain
where
it
is;
but
this
cannot
be.
The
declivity
is
found,
and
the
soul
must
fall
(not
into
sin,
but
into
a
privation
of
the
previous
degree
and
of
feeling).
It
does
its
best
to
rise
after
it
falls;
it
does
all
in
its
power
to
restrain
itself,
and
to
cling
to
some
devotional
exercise;
it
makes
an
effort
to
recover
its
former
peace;
it
seeks
solitude
in
the
hope
of
recovering
it.
But
its
labour
is
in
vain.
It
resigns
itself
to
suflfer
its
dejection,
and
hates
the
sin
which
has
occasioned
it
It
longs
to
put
things
right,
but
can
find
no
means
of
doing
it;
the
torrent
must
go
on
its
way;
it
drags
with
it
all
that
is
opposed
to
it.
Then,
seeing
that
it
no
longer
finds
support
in
God,
it
seeks
it
in
the
creature;
but
it
finds
