“Marriage in itself merits esteem and the highest approval, for the Lord wished men to ‘be fruitful and multiply.’ He did not tell them, however, to act like libertines, nor did He intend them to surrender themselves to pleasure as though born only to indulge in sexual relations. Let the Educator (Christ) put us to shame with the word Exechiel: “Put away your fornications.” Why, even unreasoning beasts know enough not to mate at certain times. To indulge in intercourse without intending children is to outrage nature, whom should take as our instructor.” St. Clement of Alexandria (150-215) (Paedagogues, 2, 10; 95, 3, GCS, 12, 214).