Grace is a "transmutation of the human soul" that takes place "instantaneously." A creative act of God enters, which executes itself as a spiritual motive in a psychological form corresponding to the nature of man. Semi-pelagian tendencies are far removed from St. Thomas. In that man is created anew, he believes and loves, and now, sin is forgiven. Then begins good conduct; grace is the "beginning of meritorious works." Aquinas conceives of merit in the Augustinian sense: God gives the reward for that toward which he himself gives the power. Man can never of himself deserve the "prima gratis", nor "meritum de congruo" (by natural ability; cf. R. Seeberg, "Lehrbuch der Dogmengeschichte", ii. 105–106, Leipsic, 1898).