Answer:
Like many others near Salem in 1692, John Proctor was accused of practicing witchcraft. In the end, many suffered from this witch hunt. Accusations were made often to in an attempt protect oneself from persecution. If someone defended a friend or loved they too were deemed guilty by association. So, in a final attempt to defend Elizabeth, his wife, and discredit the vindictive Abigail, John Proctor confesses his sin of adultery committed with Abigail in order to explain her motives in discrediting Elizabeth who has fired her after learning about the affair. What is Reverend Hale advising the condemned to do? He is advising them to confess to witchcraft and return to God, even though he doesn't believe they committed witchcraft. He is simply trying to save them from being hanged (Miller 125).