In And Out Of Hell

Anima siquiem hominis eo temporis articulo, quo de carcere corpori hujus egreditur, et est quasi in porta qua exitur ab hac vita, justa eorum suorum exigentiam transit ad gaudia vel dolores, juxta illud: Opera eorum sequuntur illos. Justus autem non confundetur, cum loquetur inimicis suis in porta. De illo enim dicetur: Date ei de fructu manuum suarum, et laudent eum in portis opera ejus. Nam, etsi fuerunt in laboribus, sed, Amodo dicet eis Spiritus ut requiescant a laboribus suis. Olim siquidem omnes ad inferos descendebant. Unde et beatus Job dicit: Quis mihi tribuat ut in inferno protegas me, et abscondas me, donec pertranseat furor tuus, et constiuas mihi tempus in quo recorderis mei? Erat tamen magnum chaos firmatum inter justos et impios; nam justi erant in sinu Abrahae sedentes, id est quiescentes in tenebris, exspectantes beatam spem et adventum gloriae magni Dei. Impii vero erant in doloribus et tormentis: quod ex evangelica historia in divite et Lazaro patet. Christus autem peccatorum purgatoionem faciens, abolito chirographo nostrae damnationis in sanguine suo, desendit ad inferos et contrivit portas aereas, ac vectes ferreos confregit, educens vinctos de domo carceris, sedentes in tenebris et umbra mortis. Petrus Blenensis, Sermo XLI In Festo Omnium Sanctorum Source: Migne PL 207.685c-686a

The soul of a man at the time of its separation, when it goes out from the prison of the body, is as a going out through a gate from this life, and according to their going out they pass over to joy or sorrow, according to which, 'Their works follow them.' But 'The righteous man shall not be dismayed when he speaks to his enemies in the gate.' For concerning him it shall be said, 'Give to him from the fruits of his hands and his works shall praise him in the gates.' For even if they were amid tribulations, yet 'henceforth the Spirit shall say that they may rest from their labours.' 1 Certainly all went down to hell once, and therefore the blessed Job says, 'Who will give me this, that you will protect me in hell, and hide me until your wrath passes, and appoint for me a time when you will remember me?' 2 But there was a great gulf fixed between the righteous and the wicked, since the righteous were sitting in the lap of Abraham, that is, resting in the darkness and hoping with blessed hope for the coming of the great glory of God. But the wicked were in grief and torment, which the Gospel narrative about Lazarus and the rich man reveals. 3 But Christ making a purgation of sins and abolishing the sign of our damnation with his own blood, descended to hell and 'broke the bronze gates and shattered the iron bonds,' and led out the conquered from the prison house, and from 'sitting in darkness and the shadow of death.' 4 Peter of Blois, from Sermon 41, On The Feast Of All Saints 1 Apoc 14.13, Ps 126.5, Prov 31.31, Apoc 14.13 2 Job 14.13 3 Lk 16.19-31 4 Ps 106.16, 10