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I. A GOOD BEGINNING.

1. In the faith given by the Spirit.

2. In the enjoyment of the Spirit through faith.

3. In the experience of spiritual privileges.

4. In the use of spiritual powers.

5. In the discharge of spiritual duties.

6. In the exercise of spiritual hopes of perfection and heaven.

II. A SAD ENDING. Flesh may mean either

(1)  the beggarly elements of Galatians 4:9, or

(2)  the works of the flesh, Galatians 5:19.

1. The works of the law will not secure perfect holiness: as shown in the ease of Paul and Luther.

2. The works of the flesh will not give perfect happiness, as shown in the case of and John Newton.

3. Because both alike throw away the means by which both holiness and happiness are promoted here and consummated in heaven.Learn:

1. To begin as you intend to continue.

2. To continue as you have begun.Though the man of mean estate, whose own want instructs his heart to commiserate others, say to himself, "If I had more good, I would do more good"; yet experience justifieth the point that many have changed their minds with their means, and the state of their purse hath forespoken that of their conscience. So they have begun in "the charity of the spirit," and ended in the "cares of the flesh."

(T. Adams.)

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KJV: Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

WEB: Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now completed in the flesh?