Whatever fire or air exists in you naturally wants to rise upward. But it obeys the order of the universe and stays down here in your mixed body. Whatever earth or water is in you naturally wants to sink downward. Yet it goes against its nature to rise up and stand. Even the basic elements obey the universe. They stay patiently wherever they are placed, even when it goes against their nature, until they get the signal to separate and return to their origins. Isn't it terrible, then, that only your reasoning part disobeys and won't stay in its proper place? And this, even though nothing asked of it goes against its nature — only what is natural to it.
What portion soever, either of air or fire there be in thee, although by nature it tend upwards, submitting nevertheless to the ordinance of the universe, it abides here below in this mixed body. So whatsoever is in thee, either earthy, or humid, although by nature it tend downwards, yet is it against its nature both raised upwards, and standing, or consistent. So obedient are even the elements themselves to the universe, abiding patiently wheresoever (though against their nature) they are placed, until the sound as it were of their retreat, and separation. Is it not a grievous thing then, that thy reasonable part only should be disobedient, and should not endure to keep its place: yea though it be nothing enjoined that is contrary unto it, but that only which is according to its nature?