He studied in Switzerland and then, like many of his brothers, he joined the Ducht army. He fought under his brother William Louis and his cousin Maurice. In 1596 he participated as a volunteer in the Capture of Cadiz. His cousin appointed him to lieutenant general in 1600 and he excelled in the Battle of Nieuwpoort. He then managed to take Wachtendonk. In 1602 he led an attack on Luxembourg. In 1604 he took part in the siege of Sluis, where he died of a fever.