John Proctor's Confession - Crucible Homework

Why does John Proctor decide to confess? Why does he then change his mind? John Proctor decides to confess once he had an honest and meaningful conversation with Elizabeth. John realizes that by confessing, he has an opportunity to start over in his marriage and remain as a father figure to his children. Elizabeth forgives him for his affair with Abigail and also states that she believes it was partly her fault as well, as her distance drove him away. Both John and Elizabeth has many things to live for, and realizing this, John decides to confess. However, John decides to confess for an additional and more significant reason. Owing to the sins he has committed, John feels that he would not be able face execution believing that he has never committed any sins, as saintly members of the society such as Rebecca Nurse are able to do. In his view, it would be hypocritical to do so. John further believes that he is not worthy of equal standing with the likes of Rebecca Nurse as his lies and sins have stripped all goodness from him. John then decides to confess after Judge Danforth questions and asks him to sign a confession. At first, Proctor agrees to confess in order to please Elizabeth. However, after seeing Rebecca Nurse maintain her innocence, he refuses to confess, and consciously consigns himself to execution. He cannot find it in souls to forgive himself for his affair with Abigail, despite receiving Elizabeth's forgiveness. John then wants to at least keep his name and dignity after suffering the loss of his soul through his confession. He therefore decides it is better to die than to lie any further. He has been scornful of the proceedings all along, and does not want to be hypocritical anymore.