God would do certain things, apart from penance or prayer, which He foresees will be interposed, as the destruction of Ninive (Jon. iii, 10), or of the Israelites in the desert (Exod. xxxii, 10). He does not will such things absolutely; and St Thomas here speaks of absolute will, e.g., of God's promises to Messiah and His Church, temporary appearences notwithstanding (Ps. lxxxviii, 33-38).

Of God and His Creatures: 2.25