why did tituba confess

Tituba is beingwhipped so she has to think fast. Tituba figures out confession is her only option to avoid being beaten and killed. This is what the court wants of her. She confesses that she was with the Devil. Ironically,this confession puts her in a position of power where she can name other people who were "with the Devil". This also validate's the court's authority and saves her through her confession.