See, Reader, in the typical representation of this law, what a gracious provision is made, for the removal of the uncleanness of our fallen nature. As the ashes of the heifer pointed to the atonement and righteousness of JESUS: so the running water represented the precious offices of the HOLY GHOST, in the washing of regeneration, and a renewing of our souls by his grace; that by his gracious application of the person and offices of the LORD JESUS, souls might be made clean in the sight of GOD, and our FATHER. Reader! do not overlook in this scripture, the essential offices of both. The ashes not mixed with the running water were not used, nor could be efficacious. Neither do the merits of JESUS operate on your heart or mine, unless applied by the HOLY GHOST. So vast and infinitely important is the work of GOD upon the soul, since it is he alone, which must take of the things of JESUS, and show them unto us. See the Redeemer's own account of his important office and ministry, in what he hath said of his person, and offices, and character. John 16:7-14.
Numbers 19:17-22
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:
18 And a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:
19 And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even.
20 But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean.
21 And it shall be a perpetual statute unto them, that he that sprinkleth the water of separation shall wash his clothes; and he that toucheth the water of separation shall be unclean until even.
22 And whatsoever the unclean person toucheth shall be unclean; and the soul that toucheth it shall be unclean until even.