John 3:16: How hath He loved us? how

How hath He loved us? how?
Can man or angel tell?
While prostrate at that cross we bow.
His love's effects we feel;
The virtue of that sign
Our gasping souls receive.
And ransom'd by the death Divine,
We shall for ever live.

No angel from His throne
He sent the world to save,
But God His own beloved Son
To desperate sinners gave:
Who in His bosom lay
He on His foes bestow'd,
J'he Lamb that bore our sins away
And wash'd us in His blood.

Jehovah's name is Love,
And love His heart inclined
To send His Fellow from above
A victim for mankind:
Twas found in Him alone
Salvation's wondrous cause
Who freely gave His only Son
To save us by His cross.

Thee, Lord, who on the tree
Didst buy the general peace.
Author of our salvation, we
Author of faith confess:
Thou dost the faith bestow
Thy blessed Self to' embrace,
The faith from which our virtues grow,
And all our fruits of grace.

Our souls are born again
Through faith inspired by Thee,
Through faith Thy nature we obtain,
Thine immortality;
It doth Thy mind reveal.
Thy hallowing blood applies.
And shuts the gates of death and hell.
And opens paradise.