They are void in the state of nature, upon any reasonable suspicion; but when there is a common power to compel observance, and thus no more room for fear, they are valid.

Even when fear makes them invalid it must have arisen after they were made, else it should have kept them from being made.

Transference of a right implies transference, as far as may be, of the means to its enjoyment.

With beasts there is no covenant, because no proper mutual understanding.
With God also none, except through special revelation, or with his lieutenant in his name.

Anything vowed contrary to the law of nature is vowed in vain; if the thing vowed is commanded by the law of nature, the law, not the vow, binds.