John Wesley, from the first paragraph in the Standard Sermons:
All the blessings which God hath bestowed upon man are of his mere grace, bounty, or favor; his free, undeserved favor; favor altogether undeserved; man having no claim to the least of his mercies.
It was free grace that “formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into him a living soul,” and stamped on that soul the image of God, and “put all things under his feet.”
The same free grace continues to us, at this day, life, and breath, and all things.
For there is nothing we are, or have, or do, which can deserve the least thing at God’s hand.
“All our works, Thou, O God, hast wrought in us.”
These, therefore, are so many more instances of free mercy: and whatever righteousness may be found in man, this is also the gift of God.
(HT: Fred Sanders)
