Lymbus

LYMBUS, or Limbus. A Term at present set apart in the Language of Divines, to signify the Place, where the Souls of the holy Patriarchs were detained, before the Descent of Jesus Christ thither after his Resurrection, in Order to deliver them, and procure for them the Enjoyment of Beatitude . We do not read the Word Lymbus either in the Scripture or the old Fathers; but only that of Hell, inferi, as we see in the Creed. Descendit ad inferos, he went down into Hell. The good and bad go to Hell, taken in this Sense: But notwithstanding there is a great Chaos, a great Gulf between them. Jesus Christ descending into Hell, or this Lymbus, delivered only the Saints and Patriarchs out of it . See above Hell and Suicer in his Dictionary of the Greek Fathers, under the Word Αδης, T. i. p. 92, 93, 94. and Martinius in his Lexicon Philologicum, under the Word Limbus. and M. Du Cange in his Dictionary of the Latin Tongue, as it was used in the Middle and lower Ages of this Language, under the Word Limbus; and lastly, the Schoolmen upon the Fourth Book of Magister Sententiarum Distinct. 4, and 25. Who he was that first made Use of the Word Limbus, to signify the Place where the Souls of the holy Patriarchs, and those of Children who died without Baptism, were detained, I cannot tell. I do not find it in this Sense in the Magister Sententiarum; but it is used by his Commentators. See Durand. in 3 Lent. dist. 22. qu. 4. & D. Thom. in 2 dist. 22. qu. 2. Art. 1. & in 4 dist. 21. qu. 1. Art. 1. & alibi sæpius D. Bonavent. in 4 dist. 45. Art. 1. q. 1. Respons. ad argument. Limbus, for so it is written, and not Lymbus, is placed as the Borders and Appendix of Hell.

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