5. Second cause of error, want of skill to use proofs.
Secondly, Those who want skill to use those evidences they
have of probabilities; who cannot carry a train of consequences in their heads; nor weigh exactly the
preponderancy of contrary proofs and testimonies, making every circumstance its due allowance; may be easily
misled to assent to positions that are not probable. There are some men of one, some but of two syllogisms, and
no more; and others that can but advance one step further. These cannot always discern that side on which the
strongest proofs lie; cannot constantly follow that which in itself is the more probable opinion. Now that there is
such a difference between men, in respect of their understandings, I think nobody, who has had any conversation
with his neighbours, will question: though he never was at Westminster-Hall or the Exchange on the one hand,
nor at Alms-houses or Bedlam on the other. Which great difference in men's intellectuals, whether it rises from
any defect in the organs of the body particularly adapted to thinking; or in the dullness or untractableness of those
faculties for want of use; or, as some think, in the natural differences of men's souls themselves; or some, or all of
these together; it matters not here to examine: only this is evident, that there is a difference of degrees in men's
understandings, apprehensions, and reasonings, to so great a latitude, that one may, without doing injury to
mankind, affirm that there is a greater distance between some men and others in this respect than between some
men and some beasts. But how this comes about is a speculation, though of great consequence, yet not necessary
to our present purpose.
