2. These cannot always be actually in view; and then we must content ourselves with the remembrance that we
once saw ground for such a degree of assent.
This is all that the greatest part of men are capable of doing, in
regulating their opinions and judgments; unless a man will exact of them, either to retain distinctly in their
memories all the proofs concerning any probable truth, and that too, in the same order, and regular deduction of
consequences in which they have formerly placed or seen them; which sometimes is enough to fill a large volume
on one single question: or else they must require a man, for every opinion that he embraces, every day to examine
the proofs: both which are impossible. It is unavoidable, therefore, that the memory be relied on in the case, and
that men be persuaded of several opinions, whereof the proofs are not actually in their thoughts; nay, which
perhaps they are not able actually to recall. Without this, the greatest part of men must be either very sceptic; or
change every moment, and yield themselves up to whoever, having lately studied the question, offers them
arguments, which, for want of memory, they are not able presently to answer.