98 Escort ran good til now,started to lose speed and slowed to almost a stop like gas was restricted.Shut it off for a few minutes to look for problem,started it and ran good about 3 miles.

Do you have any codes in the ECM ? Have you checked for any vacuum leaks ? Can you add more detail information as to when it first began to have issues and what have you done to correct this problem.

You haven't flooded the engine correct, check the spark plugs. Also, how fresh is the gas? Try shaking the car to get the gas mixed up and try cleaning out the cylinders with a torch to blow out excess gas. You should also either try cleaning the spark plugs or replace them if they look bad. It is starting up fine, correct? The alternator is good, right? I believe it is since it sounds like you didn't drive it long enough to drain the battery but check it anyway. By losing power, did the electronics start shutting off first or did the engine die first as this would show whether the alternator is bad or not. Please answer my questions and get back to me on what shut off first when it died and I will help you narrow down the problem with this car.

good luck

Check or replace fuel filter again. You could have had a lot of sediment in your tank. If it ran good for a week, that's where you need to start figuring out what was replaced during that time. If you can, check fuel pressure at schraeder valve on fuel rail.

The coil could be breaking down under normal operating temps, or the pick inside the distributor. Either that or you may have oxygen sensors that are going bad, do you have a check engine light come on when it acts up?

run fault codes and fix any faulty sensors revealed.

check for vacuum leak/possible intake leak

First thing to do is check the alternator for proper work.

There are usually return springs but it could just be that your car coast a long time when in high gear before it starts to slow down. My Jeep is the same way, if I'm running at 55 I can coast for a few miles before I slow down very much.

did u check the throttle position sensor

have you changed the fuel filter lately a plugged fuel filter will cause this concern
did the power loss start all of a sudden or did you start losing power over time ?