There is no difference in the use of these two forms in AV, and except in Sir 37:14 ('For a man's mind is sometime wont to tell him,' etc.), where the meaning is 'occasionally,' as now, both forms are used in the sense of 'once upon a time.'
But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,
and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.
For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
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