Sparre became a student at Uppsala University in 1662, accepted as volunteer at Livgardet 1671, and went into Dutch service in 1672, but was called back in 1674 and made captain at Henrik Horn's infantry regement in Stade. After having returned to Sweden proper, Sparre participated in Charles XI's Scanian War and fought at the Battle of Lund and Landskrona. In 1677 he became captain at Livgardet and later the same year lieutenant colonel at Närke-Värmlands regemente. At the 1697 riksdag he worked avidly for the declaration of authority of 15-year old prince Charles, and 1699 became colonel and commander of Västmanlands regemente, major general in 1705, lieutenant general in 1710, general of the infantry in 1713, and field marshal in 1721.