"Yet the mandate of Rome was not without effect. Prison, torture, and sword were weapons potent to enforce obedience. The weak and superstitious trembled before the decree of the pope; and while there was general sympathy for Luther, many felt that life was too dear to be risked in the cause of reform. Everything seemed to indicate that the Reformer's work was about to close. GC 142.1"
"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
The EGW passage describes the fear instilled by Rome's power, while Matthew 10:28 encourages believers not to fear those who can only kill the body. The parallel lies in the contrast between earthly power and spiritual resilience.