I LOVE Thee, O most gracious Lord,
Not that Thou sav’st me by Thy word;
Nor yet because Thy wrath shall doom
Those loving not to endless gloom.

Thou, Thou, my Jesus, full of grace,
Didst me upon the cross embrace;
Didst bear the nails, the bloody spear,
The great disgrace, the rabble’s jeer.

Innumerable griefs were Thine,
Great sweats, and anguish, Lord of mine!
The pangs of death, and all for me,
That I, poor wretch, might come to Thee!

Then why not love with all my heart?
Jesus, most beloved Thou art!
Not that Thou sav’st my soul above,
Nor me condemn’st, do Thee I love.

Not for the hope of sure reward,
But for Thy love, O blessed Lord!
My love is Thine, and e’er shall be.
Because, my King, Thou reign’st o’er me!

C. C. Cox.