Here, 1. We are cautioned not to dread the power of man, neither the
power of a prince nor the power of the multitude; both are formidable
enough, but the slavish fear of either brings a snare, that is, exposes
men to many insults (some take a pride in terrifying the timorous), or
rather exposes men to many temptations. Abraham, for fear of man,
denied his wife, and Peter his Master, and many a one his God and
religion. We must not shrink from duty, nor commit sin, to avoid the
wrath of man, nor, though we see it coming upon us, be disquieted with
fear, Dan. iii. 16; Ps. cxviii. 6. He must himself die (Isa. li. 12)
and can but kill our body, Luke xii. 5. 2. We are encouraged to depend
upon the power of God, which would keep us from all that fear of man
which has either torment or temptation in it. Whoso puts his trust in
the Lord, for protection and supply in the way of duty, shall be set on
high, above the power of man and above the fear of that power. A holy
confidence in God makes a man both great and easy, and enables him to
look with a gracious contempt upon the most formidable designs of hell
and earth against him. If God be my salvation, I will trust and not be
afraid.