With a sword Or by any other violent way. Running water Waters flowing from a spring or river, which are the purest. These manifestly signify God's Spirit, which is oft compared to water, and by which alone, through the sacrifice of Christ, true purification is obtained. Those who promise themselves benefit by the righteousness of Christ, while they submit not to the influence of his Spirit, do but deceive themselves, for they cannot be purified by the ashes, otherwise than in the running water.
Related Commentaries of Numbers 19:16
Numbers 19:16-17
16 And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days.
17 And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashesb of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel: