These citations emphasize the deceitful nature of the Jack-o-lantern, sometimes personified, sometimes used as a metaphor for anything misleading.

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Ignis fatuus, the foolish Fire, (Jack with a Lanthorn, or Will with a Wisp) is like the other, is crass, heavy, and nearer the Earth; one alone appearing, named Helena, was look'd upon by the Ancients as an ill Omen; but two together, (called Castor and Pollux) as a Presage of good Fortune. This is said to lead Men out of the Way, into pitches and dirty Places, because in a dark Night a Person not well acquainted with his Way, seeing a Light, may approach nearer to it, expecting to find an House, or a Man with a Lanthorn, but being deceived by it, instead of Company he may find himself in a Ditch, the Amazement of which has sometimes so disturb'd Men, as to make them wander about all Night, and they perceiving in the Morning they have not been far, have been apt to think themselves misled by an evil Spirit.
—The Athenian Oracle by John Dunton (London: J. and J. Knapton et al., 1728), Vol III, page 201.

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...a Jack in a Lanthorn, sure to lead his Followers into Briars and Quagmires....
—The British patriot: or a timely caveat against giving into the measures of ... (London: Printed for the author..., 1731) page 32.

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But there is a Person whose Name is Will of the Wisp, alias, Jack o' the Lanthorn, who pretends to be related to us, because he was born upon some of our Lands, being sprung up from a Fen, in a hot Day; but he is a raking Vagabond Fellow, that takes Pleasure in leading People out of their Way, and throwing them into Ditches at Night, so that we never own'd him to be of our Family....
—Select Letters Taken from Fog's Weekly Journal by Mr. Molloy (Charles) (London: 1732), page 3.

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And Others, again, have even adventured to condemn the whole Practice of Oratory, to represent it as rather meretricious than meritorious, as a Trick to inflame the Passions, rather than a necessary Power to command the Reason of Mankind, rather a Jack o' Lanthorn, to allure and mislead wandering Imaginations, than a Star to conduct the Wise to a Saviour....
—The Case of Authors by Profession or Trade, Stated, with Regard to Booksellers, the Stage, and the Public ... by James Ralph (London, R. Griffiths [1758]), page 53.

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I confess I have been many times highly entertained with your philosophy, but never convinced: It is a Jack in a lanthorn, which pleases one on the discovery, hoping it may prove a true light; but alas! it only creates a sudden hope to leave one in more impenetrable darkness.
—The Hibernian Magazine, or, Compendium of Entertaining Knowledge, Volume 4, January, 1774, page 34.

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Of the Phenomenon, vulgarly called Will or Kitty with the Wisp, or Jack, with a Lanthorn.

THIS Appearance, called in Latin, Ignis Fatuus, has long been an article in the Catalogue of popular Superstitions. It is said to be chiefly seen in Summer Nights, frequenting Meadows, Marshes, and other moist Places.

It is called Ignis Fatuus, or foolish Fire, because it only feareth Fools. Hence is it when Men are led away with some idle Fancy or Conceit, we use to say an Ignis Fatuus hath done it.

—Observations on Popular Antiquities by John Brand, Henry Bourne (Newcastle upon Tyne: J. Johnson, 1777), page 369.