XV–XIX. After Christ opened paradise souls are received at once; fathers differ in speech on heaven vs inferi; no controversy
XV. The fathers who lived before the four-hundredth year of Christ judged that the souls of the faithful, after Christ had opened paradise, are received into paradise immediately from their departure.
XVI. But in the manner of speaking they seem to differ much, because some say they are received at once into heaven, others will have them detained among the inferi even to the last day.
XVII. Although nothing seems more diverse from heaven than the inferi: yet if we weigh those fathers' mind rather than their words, we shall not find among these so great a contradiction as it seems. For under the name of the inferi they do not understand a place of torments, but either the more common (so they call it) status of separated souls, or an invisible place defined by God, which some place below, some within the earth, some outside the world, some even think unknown to humans. See Sanford and Parker, On the Descent to Hell, book 2, sections 44, 45, 53, 54, 55.
XVIII. But in this all agree, that souls in this state they certainly await with joy the blessed resurrection and the consummation of glory
XIX. Nor do we seem about to do rightly if on that account we move controversy against those fathers, or others who thus far agree, as if they were badly catholic. See the most learned Gerhard Vossius On the State of the Separated Soul, question 2, thesis 5; Hugh Sanford and Robert Parker in four most erudite books On the Descent of Our Lord Jesus Christ to Hell, solidly discussing this great question of hell from the ancients.
Latin
XV. Patres, qui vixere ante annum Christi quadringentesimum, judicarunt animas fidelium, postquam Christus paradisum aperuisset, statim ab excessu recipi in paradisum. XVI. Sed in loquendi ratione multum differre videntur, quia alii eas dicunt confestim in coelum recipi, alii volunt ad extremum usque diem apud inferos detineri. XVII. Quanquam autem nihil magis diversum a coelo videatur, quam inferi: tamen, si patrum istorum mentem potius, quam verba ponderemus, non inter haec tantam comperiemus antilegian contradictionem, quam videtur. Nam sub inferorum nomine non intelligunt tormentorum locum, sed vel communiorem (sic vocant) animarum separatarum statum, vel locum invisibilem a Deo definitum, quem alii statuunt infra, alii intra terram, alii extra mundum, alii etiam ignotum hominibus putant. Vide Sanfordum & Parkerum lib. 2. de descensu ad inferos sect. 44. 45. 53. 54. 55. XVIII. In eo vero conveniunt omnes, quod animae in hocce statu, de gloriae consummatione certe, beatam resurrectionem cum gaudio exspectent. XIX. Neque recte facturi videmur, si patribus illis, vel aliis, qui hactenus consentiunt, eo nomine tanquam male catholicis, controversiam moveamus. Vide doctissimum Gerh. Vossium de statu animae separatae q. 2. th. 5. Hugonem Sanfordum & Robertum Parkerum quatuor eruditissimis libris de descensu D. N. Jesu Christi ad inferos hanc magnam quaestionem de inferno ex antiquis solide edisserentes.