A. God did not leave all things to themselves after He had created them;
He continues to preserve and govern them.

Q. 212. What do we call the care by which God preserves and governs the
world and all it contains?
A. We call the care by which God preserves and governs the world and all
it contains His providence.

Q. 213. {33} How did God create heaven and earth?
A. God created heaven and earth from nothing by His word only; that is,
by a single act of His all-powerful will.

Q. 214. {34} Which are the chief creatures of God?
A. The chief creatures of God are angels and men.

Q. 215. How may God's creatures on earth be divided?
A. God's creatures on earth may be divided into four classes: (1) Things
that exist, as air; (2) Things that exist, grow and live, as plants and
trees; (3) Things that exist, grow, live and feel, as animals; (4)
Things that exist, grow, live, feel and understand, as man.

Q. 216. {35} What are angels?
A. Angels are pure spirits without a body, created to adore and enjoy
God in heaven.

Q. 217. If Angels have no bodies, how could they appear?
A. Angels could appear by taking bodies to render themselves visible for
a time; just as the Holy Ghost took the form of a dove and the devil
took the form of a serpent.