“Steering a middle course” sounds like whitewashing to me. Moderation would mean religious toleration for both Catholics and Puritans. As it was, she outlawed the Catholic religion, while allowing Protestant dissenters to practice their faith so long as they showed up at the established church for the requisite services. That is not “moderate” nor is it commendable, regardless of whatever other alleged merits she might have had in other areas. The fact is, starting from Henry VIII onwards, a new religion was imposed on the people of England without their ever having been given a choice in the matter.
And what choice in the matter did the Roman Emporer give to his citizens when he outlawed all religoins except Christianity and imposed that religion on all citizens?