Having clutch problems I think with my 97 ford escort?

My problem is with my 97 ford escort 2.0. Sometimes when I try to fully engage the clutch pedal while it's in 1st gear, the car rocks back and forth, like it won't stay in gear. Plus sometimes when I'm in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th gear, I can feel the car slightly **** forward like it's trying to go into a lower gear. And the whole time this is happening I don't feel or hear anything abnormal with the clutch or the stick shift. Please help?