As your Majesty has always been pleased, and continues to be pleased, by the sacrifices and offerings we mortals offer to your glory from a pure heart, I present this little tract of The Spiritual Combat, dedicating it to your divine Majesty. Nor do I draw back because it is a small tract: indeed it is well-known that you alone are that high Lord who delights in humble things and despises the world’s vanities and pretensions. And how without blame and condemnation could I dedicate it to another than your Majesty, King of heaven and earth? What this little tract teaches is all your doctrine, you yourself having taught us that, trusting no more in ourselves, we should trust in you, fight and pray.
Moreover, if every battle needs an expert leader to guide and inspire the troops — as they fight more generously when they fight for an invincible captain — does not this Spiritual Combat need one as well? So we, who are already resolved to do battle and to conquer whatever enemy, have chosen you, Jesus Christ, for our Captain: you who have conquered the world, the prince of shadows, and with the wounds and death of your most holy flesh have won the flesh of all those who have fought and will fight generously. Lord, when I put this Combat in order, I kept in mind the saying: We are unable even to think something on our own (2 Cor. 3.5). If without you and without your help we cannot entertain good thoughts, how can we fight against so many powerful enemies by ourselves, and avoid innumerable hidden ambushes? Lord, in all respects this Combat is yours: because, as I have said, yours is the doctrine and yours are all the spiritual soldiers. Among these are we Theatine Clerics Regular. Bowed at the feet of your most hight Majesty, we therefore ask you to accept this Combat, ever moving and animating us with your present grace to fight more generously. We do not doubt at all that, if you fight in us, we will win, to your glory, and that of your most holy Mother, the Virgin Mary.