In what way could john view his wife's arrest as evidence of the hand of god? which character would likely plant this idea in his head? when?

John Proctor views the arrest of his own wife Elizabeth as a God's punishment for his own sin (his affair with Abigail Williams at the time that she worked at the Proctor's house).

Reverend John Hale was the one that planted this idea in Proctor's head when he invited the community to confess their sins to face a lesser punishment. John was relieved because his wife was arrested but did not die.