if

if, provided are both used to introduce conditional clauses.

When merely a possibility which may or may not be true is expressed, if is the usual conjunction

{

if this counsel... be of men, it will come to naught— Acts 6:38

}

When the clause which follows names a stipulation or proviso, provided (or sometimes providing) is the usual form

{

it is not hard to know God, provided one will not force oneself to define him— Arnold

}

{

providing they pay you the fixed rent— R us kin

}