10. Folly to expect demonstration in everything.
Whereby yet we may observe how foolish and vain a thing it is
for a man of a narrow knowledge, who having reason given him to judge of the different evidence and probability
of things, and to be swayed accordingly; how vain, I say, it is to expect demonstration and certainty in things not
capable of it; and refuse assent to very rational propositions, and act contrary to very plain and clear truths,
because they cannot be made out so evident, as to surmount every the least (I will not say reason, but) pretence of
doubting. He that, in the ordinary affairs of life, would admit of nothing but direct plain demonstration, would be
sure of nothing in this world, but of perishing quickly. The wholesomeness of his meat or drink would not give
him reason to venture on it: and I would fain know what it is he could do upon such grounds as are capable of no
doubt, no objection.
