E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Jeb’usites (3 syl.),
in Dryden’s satire of Absalóm and Achitophel, stands for the Roman Catholics; so called because England was Roman Catholic before the Reformation, and Jerusalem was called Jebus before the time of David.
1
In this poem, the Jebusites are the Catholics, and the Levites the dissenting clergy:
In this poem, the Jebusites are the Catholics, and the Levites the dissenting clergy:
