The earnestness with which he insisted on the necessity of a truly Christian life is, perhaps, the distinguishing characteristic of Calvin among all the Reformers. ‘There ought to be perceptible in our life,’ said he, a ‘_melody_ and _harmony_ between the justice of God and our own condition, and _the image of Christ ought to appear in our obedience_. If God adopt us for his children, it is to this _life_.’[125] In the _Ordinances_ he did not stop to demonstrate this doctrine; it was not the place to do so. He kept to the practical side. ‘With regard to what belongs to the Christian life,’ said he, ‘the faults which are in it must be corrected.’ And, contrary to the common opinion, he adds with regard to the remonstrances to be made, ‘Nevertheless, let all this be carried out _with such moderation, that there may be no severity to burden_ any one; and also let correction be only mild (_médiocre_), to bring back sinners to our Lord.’ [Sidenote: The Ministry.] Calvin especially sets himself to establish what the ministry in the church ought to be; and in doing this he shows not only what the ministers, but also what the members of the Church ought to be: for St. Paul says to the faithful, _Be ye imitators of me, as I also am of Christ_. ‘There are,’ says Calvin, ‘four orders of offices which our Lord has instituted for the government of his Church: Firstly, pastors; next, teachers; after them, elders; and, fourthly, deacons.’[126] He names pastors before teachers; _faith_ first, according to the Scriptures, and afterwards _knowledge_.