[ 1183] No Promise to be made, but with reference to Gods good pleasure.
PHilip threatned the Lacedemonians,* 1.1 that if he invaded their Country, he would utterly extinguish them. They sent him no other answer back a∣gain, but this word, If; meaning, that it was a condition well put in, because he was never likely to appear against them.* 1.2 Thus St. Paul promised the Corinthians, to come by them in his way to Macedonia, and did it not; for he evermore added in his soul that condition, which no man must exclude, If it stand with the pleasure of God, and he hinder me not.* 1.3 So that according to the old Verse:
Si, nisi, non ••sset, perfectum quidlibet esset.
If it were not for condition and exception,* 1.4 every thing would be perfect; but that cannot be: therefore every man hath his reserve of Gods good will and plea∣sure, to back him in all his promises and undertakings, in a good way. So that he which speaketh with concition, as relating to Gods mind, may change his mind, without suspition of levity.