But this obedience itself will then be acceptable to God and pleasing to men, if what is commanded be not done timorously, or tardily, or tepidly, nor with murmuring or the raising of objections. For the obedience which is given to superiors is given to God, since he himself said: He that heareth you heareth me.1 And disciples should give their obedience with a good will, because God loveth a cheerful giver.2 For if the disciple obey with ill-will, and murmur not only in words but even in his heart, then, even though he fulfil the command, his work will not be acceptable to God, who sees that his heart is murmuring. For work such as this he will gain no reward; nay, rather, he will incur the punishment due to murmurers, unless he make reparation and amend.
1Luke x, 16
22 Cor ix, 7