| My
God, I love thee; not because
I hope for heaven thereby,
nor yet because who love thee not
are lost eternally.
Thou, O my
Jesus, thou didst me
upon the cross embrace;
for me didst bear the nails and spear,
and manifold disgrace.
And griefs
and torments numberless
and sweat of agony;
even death itself -- and all for one
Who was thine enemy.
Then why,
O blessed Jesus Christ
should I not love thee well?
not for the hope of winning heaven,
or of escaping hell.
not with the hope of gaining aught,
nor seeking a reward,
but as thyself has lovèd me,
O ever-loving Lord!
Even so I
love thee, and will love
and in thy praise will sing,
solely because thou art my God,
and my eternal king.
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