æt fruman

Meaning

1. at first, from the start

   Gif se Hælend gecure æt fruman getinge láreowas, and woruldlice uðwitan, and ðyllice to bodigenne sende, þonne wære geðuht swilce se soða geleafa ne asprunge ðurh Godes mihte, ac of woruldlicere getingnysse.

   If Jesus had chosen at first eloquent teachers, and sent worldly philosophers, and the like to preach, then would it have appeared as if the true faith had not sprung up through God's might, but from worldly eloquence.

   c. 992, Ælfric, "The Nativity of St. Andrew the Apostle"