Abstract: A compression ignition type engine, wherein a first combustion where the amount of the recirculated exhaust gas supplied to the combustion chamber is larger than the amount of recirculated exhaust gas where the amount of production of soot peaks and almost no soot is produced and a second combustion where the amount of recirculated exhaust gas supplied to the combustion chamber is smaller than the amount of recirculated exhaust gas where the amount of production of soot peaks are selectively switched between and wherein the air-fuel ratio is temporarily made rich immediately before switching from the first combustion to the second combustion or immediately after switching from the second combustion to the first combustion.

Abstract: A device for purifying the exhaust gas of an engine comprises a NO.sub.X absorbent arranged in the exhaust passage. The NO.sub.X absorbent absorbs NO.sub.X therein when the air-fuel ratio of the inflowing exhaust gas is lean, and releases the absorbed NO.sub.X therefrom when the oxygen concentration in the inflowing exhaust gas becomes lower. The NO.sub.X absorbent also absorbs SO.sub.X therein when the air-fuel ratio of the inflowing exhaust gas is lean, and releases the absorbed SO.sub.X therefrom when the oxygen concentration in the inflowing exhaust gas becomes lower, with the temperature of the NO.sub.X absorbent being higher than a SO.sub.X releasing temperature. The air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing to the NO.sub.X absorbent is made rich temporarily when the temperature of the NO.sub.X absorbent is higher than SO.sub.X releasing temperature and when the flow rate of the exhaust gas flowing through the NO.sub.X absorbent is lower than a predetermined flow rate, to release the absorbed SO.sub.