Origen of Alexandria : In accordance with this we also note that saying: "The barren has borne seven, and she who was fruitful in children has grown weak." And as it is said among the blessings: "There shall not be among you one without children nor a barren woman." Therefore, if these things are so, just as there is said to be a certain carnal love, which the poets have also called Cupid, according to which he who loves sows in the flesh; so also there is a certain spiritual love, according to which that inner man who loves sows in the spirit. And to say it more plainly, if there is anyone who still bears the image of the earthly according to the outer man, he is driven by an earthly desire and love. But he who bears the image of the heavenly according to the inner man is driven by a heavenly desire and love. — COMMENTARY ON THE SONG OF SONGS, PROLOGUE