How might John Hale be said to identify the major underlying problem with the court's justice when he says, "There is a prodigious fear of this court in the country"?

He identifies the idea that the court has inspired fear for being honest and telling the truth. The people know what can happen if they discuss witchcraft in any way, shape, fashion, or form. The reality is that no matter how they answer the questions of the court, they will cause or are in some kind of trouble.