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 dulness 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.

6.  Third cause of Error, Want of Will to use them.

Thirdly, There are another sort of people that want proofs, not because they are out of their reach, but because they will not use them:  who, though they have riches and leisure enough, and want neither parts nor learning, may yet, through their hot pursuit of pleasure, or business, or else out of laziness or fear that the doctrines whose truth they would inquire into would not suit well with their opinions, lives or designs, may never come to the knowledge of, nor give their assent to, those possibilities which lie so much within their view, that, to be convinced of them, they need but turn their eyes that way.  We know some men will not read a letter which is supposed to bring ill news; and many men forbear to cast up their accounts, or so much as think upon their estates, who have reason to fear their affairs are in no very good posture.  How men, whose plentiful fortunes allow them leisure to improve their understandings, can satisfy themselves with a lazy ignorance, I cannot tell:  but methinks they have a low opinion of their souls, who lay out