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Articles_of_he_Bishop_of_Uramiah, page : 60
in God must accept as truths. The first point is that Ishmael
is the legitimate son of Abraham, his first-born, and therefore
his claim to birthright is quite just and legal. The second
point is that the Covenant was made between God and Abra-
ham as well as his only son Ishmael before Isaac was born.
The Covenant and the institution of the Circumcision would
have no value or signification unless the repeated promise
contained in the Divine words, "Throughout thee all the
nations of the earth shall be blessed," and especially the
expression, the Seed "that shall come out from the bowels,
he will inherit thee" (Gen. xv. 4). This promise was fulfilled
when Ishmael was born (Gen. xvi.), and Abraham had the
consolation that his chief servant Eliezer would no longer be
his heir. Consequently we must admit that Ishmael was the
real and legitimate heir of Abraham's spiritual dignity and
is the legitimate son of Abraham, his first-born, and therefore
his claim to birthright is quite just and legal. The second
point is that the Covenant was made between God and Abra-
ham as well as his only son Ishmael before Isaac was born.
The Covenant and the institution of the Circumcision would
have no value or signification unless the repeated promise
contained in the Divine words, "Throughout thee all the
nations of the earth shall be blessed," and especially the
expression, the Seed "that shall come out from the bowels,
he will inherit thee" (Gen. xv. 4). This promise was fulfilled
when Ishmael was born (Gen. xvi.), and Abraham had the
consolation that his chief servant Eliezer would no longer be
his heir. Consequently we must admit that Ishmael was the
real and legitimate heir of Abraham's spiritual dignity and