August.
His matter was also thus vnderstood by the holy and auncient Fathers. For Augustine in his 18. Sermon De verbis Apostoli, hath, that there be two mansions, the one in euerlasting fire, the other in the euerlasting kingdome.
Idem.
And in his 28. Chapter of his first booke, De peccatorum meritis & remissione contra Pelagianos, in the seuenth tome of his workes, he saith: Neither can any man haue any middle or meane place, so that he may be any other where than with the diuel, who is not with Christ.
Idem.
And in his notable worke De ciuitate Dei, the 13. booke and 8. Chapter, he saith: The soules of the godly so soone as they be seuered from their bodies be in rest, and the soules of the wicked in torment, vntil the bodies of the one be raised vnto life, and the other vnto euerlasting death, which in scripture is called the second death.
Iustine.
Iustine also an auncient Father, writeth in Responsione ad Orthodoxos, quest. 75. that the difference of the iust and vniust, both appeare euen assoone as the soule is departed from the body. For they are carried by the angels into such places as are fit for them: that is, the soules of the iust are brought vnto Paradice, where they haue the fruition of the sight and presence of Angels, and Archangels: and moreouer the sight of our Sauiour Christ, as it is conteined in that saying, whiles we are straungers from the bodie, we are at home with God. And the soules of the vnrighteous on the other side, are carried to Hell, as it said of Nabuchodonozor the king of Babylon: Hell is troubled vnder thée, being readie to méete thée, &c. And so till to the day of resurrection and reward, are they reserued in such places as are méetest for them.
Hillarie.
Saint Hillarie in the ende of his exposition of the second Psalme, writeth: that mens soules are straightway after death, made partakers of rewards or punishments.