obody...was ever able to demonstrate to James's own satisfaction that he was ever mistaken or wrong about anything whatever." James had difficulty seeing another man's point of view, and liked making his own decisions without consulting any advisors or counsels. During his reign he published The Trew Law of Free Monarchies: Or the Reciprock and Mutual Dutie Betwixt a Free King and His Natural Subjects to inform his son, as well as other monarchs, as to the correct way to run a country. He wrote about how a king should dress, act, walk, talk, write, eat, among other things. Also, in his book, he analyzes the faults of all the other classes in society, and points out the importance of finding a wife with virtue. James thought the king's job was to administer justice, to advance good men and punish evil ones, to establish and enforce laws, and to procure peace. He took his job very seriously, and also took seriously the power that came with it. In fact, one of James' worst character flaws was his vanity. James thought as though he owned all of England, and absolute ownership brings absolute power. James summoned all the Western chiefs to show them titles to their land. Time and time again he demonstrated his power to the peasants, as well as the nobles. James wanted to run England on his own, and would not accept the ideas, advise, or counsel of anyone else.Not only did James believe that he had the knowledge to run the country absolutely, he also believed that it was his divine right. At the time, "an overwhelming majority of English opinion still attributed to Monarchy that mystic authority which constituted Divine Right and saw the government of church and state as inseparable aspects of the same problem." James felt as though he was king by God, and had His authority do make all decisions. James had an extensive knowledge of theology, and convinced the clergy that he spoke through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and having the powe...
